Economic Contribution of Wildlife to Bushmeat Market in Ikire, Osun State, Nigeria

This paper assessed the economic contribution of wildlife to bushmeat market in Ikire, Osun State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire and in-depth interview of targeted respondents. Bush meat sellers in Irewole local government area, Ikire were sampled. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and likert scale analysis. The result showed that majority of the bushmeat sellers were females (55.9%) with a mean age of 41 years. Most of the bushmeat sellers strongly agreed (4.91±0.09) that they generate more income from bushmeat trade, 4.71±0.17 equally noted that customers prefer to purchase bushmeat than convectional meat type while 1.56±0.19 disagreed that seasonal change affects customer’s preferences for bushmeat in the markets. Also, 5.00±0.0, 4.82±0.13, 4.74±0.17 respectively believes that bushmeat are more delicious, better source of protein, more of medicinal value when compared with conventional meat type. Furthermore, an average of 3.70±0.2 had cultural sentiments for the consumption of bush meat. An average net profit per respondent yielded ₦3,565.53, while BCR and profitability index are 1.95 and 0.95 respectively. Conclusively, bushmeat trading is a profitable and very lucrative enterprise.   &nbsp

Persistence of Ebola virus RNA in some body fluids of Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors – the Nigerian experience

Introduction: Ebola virus (EBOV) has been shown to persist in some body fluids of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) survivors with implication for future transmission particularly in Nigeria where EVD was experienced for the first time in 2014. Thus, this paper was aimed at providing information on the duration of persistence of EBOV in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Ten consenting EVD survivors were enrolled. Baseline specimens; urine and semen (males), urine and high vaginal swab (HVS) (females) were obtained within one month after discharge from the Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) and subsequently every fortnight. Samples were analyzed using quantitative Real-Star Filovirus Screen RT-PCR kit 1.0 at the National Reference Laboratory in Lagos.Results: Ten EVD survivors comprising 4 (40%) males and 6 (60%) females with age ranges of 28 to >33 years (mean age: 33.0 ± 6.9 years) were evaluated. EBOV RNA was not detected in the urine of all the participants and HVS from the females. However, EBOV RNA was detected in the semen of all 4 (100%) male participants at baseline, and at 2 months after discharge from the ETC. Two men were still positive for EBOV RNA 4 months after discharge from the ETC despite persistent negative vireamia. Conclusions: Our data confirm that a negative viremia in the convalescent period is not predictive of the absence of the virus in semen. Despite an early clearance of the virus from the urine and HVS, there was persistence of EBOV RNA in semen of male survivors 4 months after recovery

In vitro evaluation of mixed silage of Pennisetum purpureum and orange fleshed sweet potato vines

The study was aimed at determining the in vitro nutritive value of mixed silages of pennisetum purpureum and orange-fleshed sweet potato vines and evaluating their potential of being a new feed resource for ruminants during the dry season. Pennisetum purpureum (Pp) and orange-fleshed sweet potato vines (OFPV) were ensiled in experimental silos bottles after wilting for 24 hours in the following proportions viz:100%Pp (T1), 75%Pp +25%OFPV (T2), 50%Pp +50%OFPV (T3), 25% Pp +75% OFPV (T4) and 100% OFPV (T5). Each treatment was replicated ten (10) times and was kept for 14 and 28 days in the laboratory at a room temperature (20 – 25°C). The chemical composition of the silage at 14 and 28 days was determined. In vitro gas production of the silages was carried out for 48 hours. In vitro fermentation kinetics and gas production parameters of the silages were also estimated. Results revealed that ensiling periods had significant (p<0.05) effect on the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents of the silages. Silage of 28 days had highest CP (13.45%) and lowest NDF and ADF contents (40.10 and 25.48% respectively). Silage containing 100% OFPV recorded highest (p<0.05) crude protein (15.95%), ash (15.81%) and lowest NDF (32.25%) and ADF (22.50%) contents. Gas production was lowest (p<0.05) in T1 at all incubation periods, and it increases with inclusion of OFPV, T5 had significant (p<0.05) highest gas production. Least gas production was observed in T1 at 42 and 48 hours incubation period (15.17 and 17.17 mL/200mg DM respectively). Silage of 28 days had the best potential gas production (37.51 mL). Fractional rate of gas production was higher in 28 days silage (0.06mL/hr), T3 (0.05mL/hr), T4 (0.05mL/hr) and T5 (0.06mL/hr) while lag phase was lowest in these silages. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), metabolisable energy (ME) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were greater in silage of 28 days (63.73%, 5.01MJ/Kg DM and 0.02mL) with least percentage methane production (33.34%). Also, IVDMD, in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD), ME, and SCFA increased as level of OFPV in the silages increases with T5 having the highest values for these parameters. Percentage methane production was least (p < 0.05) in T5 (26.55%). It can therefore be concluded that Pennisetum purpureum be supplemented with OFPV up to 75% and ensiled for 28 days or beyond to produce better quality feed resource for ruminants during the dry season. Ensiling 100% OFPV is also highly recommended as it exhibited the best nutritive potential. Keywords: Pennisetum purpureum, potato vines, silage, nutritive value, ruminant nutritio