Computed tomography in wildlife medicine and research for conservation

Computed tomography at the Leibniz-IZW - an unusual insight into wild animals and fossils: using state of the art imaging, from classic representation of morphology to the visualization of dynamic processes, we answer clinical as well as scientific questions regarding animal welfare, veterinary clinical diagnostics, and basic research.

Since 2004, Leibniz-IZW has employed advanced computed tomography (CT) for both research and diagnostic applications. The imaging infrastructure has been continuously upgraded and currently comprises the fifth generation of high-performance CT systems, most recently the Canon Aquilion ONE Insight. In 2021, the facility was further expanded through the acquisition of a state-of-the-art micro-CT scanner in collaboration with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, funded through a German Research Foundation (DFG) infrastructure grant. This system enables the investigation of the finest biological structures and supports a wide range of morphological and functional studies.

Computed tomography provides high-resolution, non-destructive three-dimensional datasets that offer detailed insights into anatomy, physiological function, and disease processes. By combining advanced imaging techniques with classical anatomical preparation methods, researchers at Leibniz-IZW have generated fundamental insights into sound production in ungulates, elephants, and koalas, resulting in publications in leading journals such as Science and Current Biology.

Wolf (Canis lupus)

On behalf of the German Documentation and Advisory Centre on Wolves (DBBW), all wolves found dead in Germany undergo CT examination at Leibniz-IZW. This approach enables non-destructive assessment of carcasses and the detection of projectile fragments prior to subsequent pathological examination.

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), newborn

In addition to research activities, the CT Centre supports national and international zoological institutions in the diagnosis of complex medical conditions. Among the most prominent animals examined are the orangutan male Bornie (Cologne Zoo), the giant panda Jiao Qing, and the polar bear Knut (both Berlin Zoo). Owing to the exceptional scanning speed of the CT systems, smaller animals up to the size of a pug can often be examined without anaesthesia. This diagnostic service is also available to veterinary practices in Berlin through a referral system.

Middle stone age human grave

Beyond wildlife research and veterinary medicine, CT has become an important tool in palaeontology and archaeology. A Mesolithic human burial that was investigated non-destructively together with its surrounding sediment and grave goods in cooperation with the Brandenburg State Office for Heritage Management and the Archaeological State Museum in Wünsdorf.

Archaeopteryx, Dicraeosaurus hansemanni, Enaliosuchus schroederi

In collaboration with the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin and the University of Potsdam, CT-based approaches for the recovery of ancient DNA from fossils of Steller’s sea cow, cave bear, and mammoth have been developed. Notable specimens examined include the Berlin Archaeopteryx, skeletal remains of Dicraeosaurus hansemanni and Enaliosuchus schroederi.

Additional applications include CT-based analyses of soil structure conducted in collaboration with the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF). These studies form the basis for the development of artificial intelligence–assisted methods for the classification of agricultural soils.

Gernhardt J, Reuter T, Fritsch G, Schulze, N., Mählmann, K., Lischer, C. (2026). Ex Vivo Computed Tomographic Morphometry and Motion of the Native and Fractured Equine Accessory Carpal Bone. Animals: an Open Access Journal from MDPI, 16(8), 1132.

Müller K, Reinhardt I, Weber A, Kluth G, Fritsch G, Szentiks CA. (2025). Retrospective evaluation of the reproductive status of male grey wolves (Canis lupus) in Germany based on animals found dead: Influence of age, body weight and season. Animal Reproduction Science, 108094.

Heise O, Pottek T, Buss P, de Klerk-Lorist LM, Eigen L, Holtze S, Fritsch G, Göritz F, Wibbelt G, Hildebrandt T, Brecht M (2025): Trunk Tip Wear in Wild African Savanna Elephants. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 65(6), 1358–1365 https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icaf020.

Schwarz D, Fritsch G, Issever AS, Hildebrandt TB (2023): Description of contents of unopened bamboo corsets and crates from Quarry Ig/WJ of the Tendaguru locality (Late Jurassic, Tanzania, East Africa) as revealed by medical CT data and the potential of this data under paleontological and historical aspects. PALAEONTOL ELECTRON 26, a4.

Pacher K, Breuker M, Hansen MJ, Kurvers RHJM., Häge J, Dhellemmes F, Domenici P, Steffensen JF, Krause S, Hildebrandt TB, Fritsch G, Bach P, Sabarros PS, Zaslansky P, Mahlow K, Müllern J, Armas RG, Ortiz HV, Galván-Magaña F, Jens Krause J (2023): The rostral micro-tooth morphology of blue marlin, Makaira nigricans. FISH BIOLOGY, 1-10.

Deiringer N, Schneeweiß U, Kaufmann LV, Eigen L, Speissegger C, Gerhardt B, Holtze S, Fritsch G, Göritz F, Becker R, Ochs A, Hildebrandt TB, Brecht M (2023): The functional anatomy of elephant trunk whiskers. COMMUN BIOL 6, 591.

Haase A, Sen M, Gremse C, Mader A, Korkmaz B, Jungnickel H, Hildebrandt TB, Fritsch G, Nomata J, Moenning JL, Steinhoff-Wagner J, Lahrssen M, Pieper R (2023): Analysis of number, size and spatial distribution of rifle bullet-derived lead fragments in hunted roe deer using computed tomography. DISCOVER FOOD, volume 3, 11.

Schulze N, Werpy N, Gernhardt J, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt TB, Vanderperren K, Klopfleisch R, Romdhane RB, Lischer C, Ehrle A (2022): Dynamic three-dimensional computed tomographic imaging facilitates evaluation of the equine cervical articular process joint in motion. Equine Vet J 2022;00:1-9. published: 19 January 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13560

Le Duc D, Velluva A, Cassatt-Johnstone M, Olsen RA, Baleka S, Lin CC, Lemke JR, Southon JR, Burdin A, Wang MS, Grunewald S, Rosendahl W, Joger U, Rutschmann S, Hildebrandt TB, Fritsch G, Estes JA, Kelso J, Dalén L, Hofreiter M, Shapiro B, Schöneberg T. (2022). Genomic basis for skin phenotype and cold adaptation in the extinct Steller's sea cow. SCI ADV 8:eabl6496.

Purkart L, Tuff JM, Kaufmann LV, Altringer C, Maier E, Schneeweiss U, Shah M, Tunckol E, Holtze S, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt TB, Brecht M. (2021). Trigeminal Ganglion and Sensory Nerves Suggest Tactile Specialization of Elephants. CURR BIOL 32, 904-910.

Wieland R, Ukawa C, Joschko M, Krolczyk A, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt TB, Schmidt, O., Filser, J. and Jimenez, J.J. (2021). Use of deep learning for structural analysis of computer tomography images of soil samples. R SOC OPEN SCI 8, 201275.

Häge J, Hansen MJ, Pacher K, Dhellemmes F, Domenici P, Steffensen JF, Breuker M, Krause S, Hildebrandt TB, Fritsch G, Bach P, Sabarros FS, Zaslansky P, Mahlow K, Schauer M, Müller J, Krause J. (2022). Lacunae rostralis: A new structure on the rostrum of sailfish Istiophorus platypterus. J Fish Biol 2022:1-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15018

Dhellemmes F, Hansen MJ, Bouet SD, Videler JJ, Domenici P, Steffensen JF, Hildebrandt TB, Fritsch G, Bach P, Sabarros PS, Krüger A, Kurvers RHJM, Krause J. (2020). Oil gland and oil pores in billfishes: in search of a function. J EXP BIOL 223, jeb.224956. doi:10.1242/jeb.224956

Schwab JA, Young MT, Neenan JM, Walsh SA, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Allain R, Brochu CA, Choiniere JN, Clark JM, Dollman KN, Etches S, Fritsch G, Gignac PM, Ruebenstahl A, Sachs S, Turner AH, Vignaud P, Wilberg EW, Xu X, Zanno LE, Brusatte SL. (2020). Inner ear sensory system changes as extinct crocodylomorphs transitioned from land to water. PNAS V 117, Is 19 ID: 2020-02146R

Hansen MJ, Krause S, Breuker M, Kurvers RH, Dhellemmes F, Viblanc PE, Müller J, Mahlow C, Boswell K, Marras S, Domenici P, Wilson ADM, Herbert-Read JE, Steffensen JF, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt TB, Zaslansky P, Bach P, Sabarros PS, Krause J. (2020). Linking hunting weaponry to attack strategies in sailfish and striped marlin. PROC ROYAL SOC B 287, 20192228. doi:10.1098/rspb.2019.2228

Frey R, Volodin IA, Volodina EV, Efremova KO, Menges V, Portas R, Melzheimer J, Fritsch G, Gerlach C, von Dörnberg K (2020): Savannah roars: The vocal anatomy and the impressive rutting calls of male impala (Aepyceros melampus) – highlighting the acoustic correlates of a mobile larynx. J ANAT 236, 398-424. doi:10.1111/joa.13114

Volodin IA, Nahlik A, Tari T, Frey R, Volodina EV (2019). Rutting roars in native Pannonian red deer of Southern Hungary and the evidence of acoustic divergence of male sexual vocalization between Eastern and Western European red deer (Cervus elaphus). MAMM BIOL 94, 54-65. doi:10.1016/j.mambio.2018.10.009

Frey R, Reby D, Fritsch G, Charlton BD. (2018). The remarkable vocal anatomy of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): insights into low-frequency sound production in a marsupial species. J ANAT 232, 575-595

Alberti F, Gonzalez J, Paijmans JLA, Basler N, Preick M, Henneberger K, Trinks A, Rabeder G, Conard NJ, Münzel SC, Joger U, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt TB, Hofreiter M, Barlow A (2018). Optimised DNA sampling of ancient bones using Computed Tomography (CT) scans, MOL ECOL RESOUR V16 Is6.

Reby D, Wyman MT, Frey R, Charlton BD, Dalmont JP, Gilbert J (2018): Vocal tract modeling in fallow deer: Are male groans nasalized? J EXP BIOL 221, jeb179416. doi:10.1242/jeb.179416

Efremova KO, Frey R, Volodin IA, Fritsch G, Soldatova NV, Volodina EV (2016): The postnatal ontogeny of the sexually dimorphic vocal apparatus in goitred gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa). J MORPHOL 277, 826-844. doi:10.1002/jmor.20538

Frey R, Volodin IA, Fritsch G, Volodina EV (2016): Potential sources of high frequency and biphonic vocalization in the dhole (Cuon alpinus). PLOS ONE 11, e0146330. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146330

Schwarz D, Kosch J, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt T. (2015). Dentition and tooth replacement of Dicraeosaurus hansemanni (Dinosauria, Sauropoda, Diplodocoidea) from the Tendaguru Formation of Tanzania. J VERTEBR PALEONTOL, 35(6):e1008134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2015.1008134

Zaytseva AS, Volodin IA, Mason MJ, Frey R, Fritsch G, Ilchenko OG, Volodina EV (2015). Vocal development during postnatal growth and ear morphology in a shrew that generates seismic vibrations, Diplomesodon pulchellum. BEHAV PROCESS 118, 130-141. doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2015.06.012

Witzmann F. Schwarz-Wings D, Hampe O, Fritsch G, Asbach P. (2014). Evidence of Spondyloarthropathy in the Spine of a Phytosaur (Reptilia: Archosauriformes) from the Late Triassic of Halberstadt, Germany. - PLOS ONE, 9(1): e85511. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0085511

Galateanu G, Hermes R, Saragusty J, Göritz F, Potier R, Mulot B, Maillot A, Etienne P, Bernardino R, Fernandes T, Mews J, Hildebrandt TB (2014): Rhinoceros Feet Step Out of a Rule-of-Thumb: A Wildlife Imaging Pioneering Approach of Synchronized Computed Tomography-Digital Radiography. PLOS ONE 9, e100415. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0100415

Trinogga A, Fritsch G, Hofer H, Krone O (2013): Are lead-free hunting rifle bullets as effective at killing wildlife as conventional lead bullets? A comparison based on wound size and morphology. SCI TOTAL ENVIRON 443, 226-232. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.10.084

Charlton BD, Frey R, McKinnon AJ, Fritsch G, Fitch WT, Reby D (2013) Koalas use a novel organ to produce unusually low-pitched mating calls. CURR BIOL 23, R1035-R1036.