Thesis (MSc)-- University of Stellenbosch, 2007.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Crocodile farming has become an important industry in Southern Africa over the last three
decades. The diseases occurring in farmed crocodiles have been well researched, which has
contributed to the success of modern crocodile farming operations. However, very little
research has been done on diseases in wild crocodiles, and the normal physiology and disease
prevalence of wild crocodiles remains largely unknown.
In this study Nile crocodiles were captured in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Blood was
collected and normal haematological and blood biochemical ranges were established for a subsample
of the population (haematology n=38, biochemistry n=35). The ranges obtained were
generally in line with those reported for other species and farmed Nile crocodiles, except for
mean haematocrit and total protein, which were relatively low. Parameters were also
compared between males and females, as well as between size classes. Females had
significantly greater mean red cell cotmt, eosinophils, total protein and potassium than males.
Subadults had significantly greater mean haematocrit, haemoglobin, eosinophils, basoph.ils,
total protein, globulin, sodium and potassium than yearlings and juveniles. Yearlings had
significantly higher blood glucose than juveniles.
Cloacal swabs were collected (n=29), which were cultured to establish the normal intestinal
flora of these crocodiles. The intestinal flora was found to be diverse, with a mean of 2.7
bacterial species per crocodile. No Salmonella were cultured. Approximately half the
crocodiles (48.3 %) also had a fungal component to their intestinal flora. A probiotic was
produced based on the normal intestinal flora of the wild crocodiles. The potential for this
probiotic to reduce mortalities and improve growth in farmed hatchlings was tested in a
controlled experiment. No significant beneficial effect was obtained.
A disease survey was carried out on the wild crocodiles by (i) a general clinical examination
(n=144), (ii) serological testing for mycoplasmosis (n=30), and (iii) bloodsmear examination
for blood parasites (n=38). No clinically apparent sick crocodiles were observed. No
antibodies to Mycoplasma crocodyli were detected. The prevalence of hepatozoonosis was
55.3 %. There was no significant difference in the h.aematological parameters of Hepatozooninfected
and un-infected crocodiles.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oor die afgelope drie dekades het krokodil boerdery in Suiderlike Afrika gegroei tot 'n groat
industrie. Baie navorsing is al op die siektes van krokodille onder boerdery omstandighede
gedoen, wat tot die sukses van moderne krokodil boerdery bygedra het. Baie min navorsing is
al oor die siektes van wilde krokodille gedoen, en die siektes en nonnale fisiologie van wilde
Nyl krokodille bly hoofsaaklik onbekend.
In hierdie studie was Nyl krokodille in die Okavango Delta, Botswana, gevang. Bloed was
getrek en die normale waardes vir 'n sub-seksie van die bevolking se hematolgie (n=38) en
bloed biochemie (n=35) was vasgestel. Die waardes was vergelykbaar met die van Nyl
krokodille onder boerdery omstandighede, sowel as waardes wat al van ander spesies
geraporteer is, behalwe vir gemiddelde hematokrit en totale proteme, wat laag was. Parameters
was tussen mannetjies en wyfies sowel as tussen verskillende groottes vergelyk. Wyfies het
merkwaardig hoer gemiddelde rooiseltelling, eosinofiele, totale protein, en kalium as
ma1metjies gehad. Sub-volwassenes het merkwaardig hoer gemiddelde hematokrit,
hemoglobin, eosinofiele, basofiele, totale protern, globulien, natrium en kalium as jaar-oud en
jong krokodille gehad. Jaar-oud krokodille het merkwaardige hoer bloed glukose as jong
krokodille gehad.
Kloak deppers was versamel (n=29), en kwekings gedoen om die normale dermkanaal flora
vas te stel. Daar was 'n bree spektrum van dermkanaal flora, met 'n gemiddeld van 2. 7
bakterie spesies per krokodil. Geen Salmonella was gei"soleer nie. Daar was een of meer ftmgi
van 48 .3 %van die deppers geYsloeer. 'n Probiotikum was gemaak, gebaseer op die normale
dermkanaal flora van die wilde krokodille. Die vermoe van die probiotikum om sterftes te
verminder, en groei te verbeter, was op klein krokodile onder intensiewe omstandighede
getoets. Daar was geen voordeel daarin gevind.
'n Siekte opname was op wilde krokodille gedoen deur (i) 'n algemene kliniese ondersoek
(n=l44), (ii) serologiese toetse vir mikoplasmose (n=30), en (iii) bloedsmeer ondersoek vir
bloedparasite (n=38). Geen ooglopend siek krokodille was tydens bemonstering gevind, en
daar is geen teenliggame teen Mycoplasma crocodyli gevind. Die voorkoms van Hepatozoon
pettiti was 55.3 %. Daar was geen betekenisvolle verskil tussen die hematologie van die
Hepatozoon-besmette en nie-besmette krokodille nie
