Haematological reference values for East African wild ungulates

Abstract

Basic haematological values were obtained in the field from shot, clinically normal, wild East African ungulates. The species studied were: Thomson's gazelle ( Gazella thomsonii), Grant's gazelle ( Gazella grantii), blue wildebeest ( Conochaetes taurinus), Coke's hartebeest ( Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii), impala ( Aepyceros melampus) and Burchell's zebra ( Equus burchelli). Red cell parameters compared well with previous reports although the mean cell haemoglobin concentrations were higher. The white cell counts were considerably lower in all species. The red and white cells of all species studied had standard mammalian morphology. Generally, the field equipment used worked well under the conditions encountered, although the field microscope made cell counting troublesome and the heat made the preservation of fixed slides difficult.