Abstract
Ex-situ conservancies are expanding alternatives to livestock production in Zambia albeit the lack of information on circulating infectious parasites from wildlife. Therefore, 12 wildlife species were examined on a game ranch were all species were found to be infected by Rhipecephalus spp. Haemoparasite infections were estimated at 7.37% (n = 95) with Babesia spp. detected in bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus); Anaplasma marginale in impala (Aepyceros melampus) and puku (Kobus vardonii) for the first time in Zambia. The majority of worm species isolated from bovids were not detected in equids and, vice versa. Our findings intimate ecological and behavioural patterns of some animals as deterministic to exposure. Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) had the widest range of worm species with more infected organs than other animals suggesting their semi aquatic nature contributory to prolonged worm exposure compared to other animals. On the other hand, Kafue lechwe had the least tick infections attributable more to shorter attachment periods as they spend prolonged periods submerged in water. Our findings indicate the vital role that wildlife plays in the epidemiology of parasitic diseases. To reduce the infection burden, control measures should be focused on reducing transmission to highly susceptible animal species as described herein.
Highlights
Ex-situ conservation is expanding in Zambia with the aim of promoting wildlife utilization alongside livestock production
The shift from cattle ranching to game ranching reduces economic losses incurred in livestock production due to continuous prophylactic treatment of cattle unlike wildlife species that are resistant to tick-borne diseases [3]
We investigated the presence of endo, and ectoparasites of different wildlife species reared on a game ranch in central Zambia in order to obtain baseline data on the nature of parasitic infections obtained from wildlife in this part of the country
Summary
Ex-situ conservation is expanding in Zambia with the aim of promoting wildlife utilization alongside livestock production. The industry has turned out to be an alternative to cattle ranching given that the latter has been ravaged by tick-borne diseases that have caused a significant decline on the cattle population in Zambia [1, 2]. The shift from cattle ranching to game ranching reduces economic losses incurred in livestock production due to continuous prophylactic treatment of cattle unlike wildlife species that are resistant to tick-borne diseases [3]. Game ranching promotes preservation of different wildlife species by protecting animals from poaching which is rare on the game ranches but common on state-owned national parks. The mixing of animals from different ecosystems into one habitat is likely to be a proponent of introducing diseases sourced from different ecosystems into a new habitat
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