Helminth parasites of antelope in Zimbabwe: An update

An updated list of helminth parasites of impala (Aepyceros melampus), blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), eland (Taurotragus oryx), tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) is given based on the results of a study of helminths of antelope reared with cattle. The helminths are listed according to host species. The list will constitute an update of the helminth checklist reported by Jooste (1989). New helminth species were recorded in impala, tsessebe, sable antelope, waterbuck, common duiker and bushbuck. Zimbabwe Vet. J. Vol.33(2) 2002: 109-11

Prevalence of Brucella antibodies in sheep and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) reared together in the Karas region, Namibia

An outbreak of brucellosis in sheep in 2009 on a farm in the adjacent Hardap Region of Namibia and the lack of information on the brucellosis status of springbok prompted a serological investigation of brucellosis in sheep and springbok in the Karas Region, Namibia as these two species are utilized for meat. The main aim of the study was to find out if springbok reared with sheep are infected with brucellosis. Sera collected from sexually mature naïve sheep (n=332) and from springbok (n=345) on 11 randomly selected commercial farms and from adult sheep (n=472) and springbok (n=9) on eight commercial farms identified as positive for Brucella melitensis between 2008 and 2010 tested negative for Brucella antibodies. However, 10% (95% CI: 2.78-26.0) of the tested sheep on one farm tested positive for B. ovis antibodies confirming the presence of this agent in the region. On the eight exposed farms, both sheep and springbok tested negative for Brucella antibodies, providing evidence that control measures that were implemented following the detection of the disease had been effective. It was concluded that sheep and springbok on the eleven farms had not been exposed to Brucella melitensis and B. abortus infections and that on previously positive farms the infection had been eliminated in sheep and had not spread to springbok.Key words: springbok, sheep, Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus, Brucella ovis, Namibi

Production, Fertility and Hatchability of Ostrich Eggs on a Farm in Zimbabwe

The production, fertility and hatchability of 1229 ostrich eggs from a farm outside Harare was recorded from April to November, 1996. The average egg production and egg weight was 27.6 and 1494.6 g per hen, respectively. Egg weight at lay was significantly affected by month of lay and hen (

A questionnaire survey of the management and use of anthelmintics in cattle and antelope in mixed farming systems in Zimbabwe

A survey of the management of mixed farming of cattle and antelope and use of anthelmintics was conducted on eleven farms between August and December 1999 by a self-administered questionnaire. Seventeen antelope species ranging from grey duikers (Sylvicapra grimmia) to eland (Taurotragus oryx) occurred on the farms. Impala (Aepyceros melampus) was the most abundant antelope on the farms. Seventy-five per cent of the antelope species on the farms were grazers and mixed feeders and shared grazing with cattle. Most farmers (n =8) did not consider the stocking density for cattle and antelope as an important management factor. Fifty-four per cent of the farmers (n = 6) routinely dewormed both cattle and antelopes. Albendazole and fenbendazole were the most commonly used drugs for deworming cattle (72.7 %) and antelope species (54.5 %). The deworming of antelope was carried out during the dry season, using albendazole-, fenbendazole-and rafoxanide-medicated supplementary feed blocks. Doramectin injections were given to antelopes on two farms. Cattle were dewormed preventively and according to the general body condition of the animal. Few farmers (n = 4) followed the recommended deworming programme for cattle in Zimbabwe and only one farmer followed a specified dosing programme for game. However, results from the survey on the deworming of game indicate that farmers perceived helminth infections in antelope to be important