Foetal Wastage Among Ruminants Slaughtered at the Abattoir in Gwagwalada, FCT, Nigeria

Abstract

There is a chronic deficiency in the animal protein content of the diets of people in developing countries, including Nigeria. This has been attributed to low productivity of indigenous breeds of livestock, inadequate feed supplies, diseases and recently, climate change. However, foetal losses from slaughtered food animals have been identified as a potential source of animal protein loss but its overall negative impact on the national economy has not been evaluated. This study was therefore carried out to draw attention about the consequences of the practice and to proffer some recommendations. A five – month study was carried out to investigate the incidence of foetal wastage in ruminants slaughtered at the Gwagwalada abattoir in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria as well as its economic implications. Results indicated that the incidence was 29.02%, 24.9% and 7.68% for cattle, sheep and goats respectively. Most of the wastage occurred in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, while the total financial loss from the 260 foetuses recorded in the study was put at about N10.5 million. There is therefore the need for a more detailed and comprehensive examination of female animals prior to slaughter. Those diagnosed to be pregnant should be purchased and nurtured by relevant government agencies until delivery and the owners compensated. In addition, public enlightenment campaigns discouraging farmers from slaughtering obviously pregnant animals should be mounted, while violators should be made to pay fines..