Changes in blood and physio-clinical indices of West African Dwarf goat during road transport

The study was carried out to determine the effect of road transportation on some blood and physioclinical indices in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Nineteen (19) WAD goats aged between 6 and 8 months weighing between 4.16Kg and 5.90Kg were transported in a wagon for 3 hours 18 minutes. Collection of data on rectal temperature (RT) and heart rate (HR), and blood sampling were carried out just before loading the animals into the wagon and repeated immediately on arrival at the destination. The blood samples were analyzed for packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HB), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NEU), lymphocyte (LYM), eosinophil (EOS), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) concentrations were also determined. Except the reduced (P<0.05) haemoglobin (Hb) after transportation, the results showed that haematological parameters and pulse rate were comparable before departure and on arrival(P>0.05).Rectal temperature was however slightly higher(P<0.05) on arrival compared to departure in mixed sex and male goats. Serum AST, ALT and ALP were higher (P<0.05) before transportation compared to the values obtained on arrival. The findings showed no remarkable influence of transport by road on the haematological parameters and pulse rate of WAD goats except reduced HB,serum AST, ALT and ALP and increasedrectal temperature observed after transportation.Keywords: goats, physiological parameters, stress, transpor

The role of wetlands in mitigating the effect of climate change in Nigeria

This chapter reviews the place of wetlands in climate change within the overall frame of environmental resource planning. This is against the background of the importance of wetlands as environmental resources which have been described as the kidneys of the landscape as a result of its hydrological and chemical functions and as atmospheric carbon sinks which stabilize the climate. The study reviewed mitigating and adapting measures in literatures that may be adopted in Nigeria in order to enhance the potentials of wetland resources in the country. The chapter asserts that the declining environmental resource base of the country is mainly due to anthropogenic influences because wetlands in Nigeria are largely exploited for economic gains and are basically used for subsistence living or for physical development. Statistical data from the government shows that 60 % of Nigerian population depend solely on the natural resource base and are engaged in farming, cattle rearing, and fishing. This chapter provides measures which include restoration programs, reduction of further disturbance on wetlands, and legislative and policy formulations for protecting wetlands which are considered appropriate and can contribute greatly in mitigating climate change when properly harnessed as a way forward toward climate change mitigation and adaptation