Abstract
Wild Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) of various size classes were captured in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Blood was collected from the post occipital sinus and used for the determination of a wide range of haematological and biochemical parameters. These values were compared between the sexes and between 3 size classes. The values were also compared with the limited data available from farmed Nile crocodiles, as well as from other wild Nile crocodiles. The Okavango crocodiles were comparatively anaemic, and had comparatively low total protein and blood glucose levels. There was a high prevalence of Hepatozoon pettiti infection, however, there was no significant difference in haematological values between the infected and uninfected crocodiles. The values reported here will be useful in diagnostic investigations in both zoo and farmed Nile crocodiles.
Highlights
Crocodile farming has developed into a large global industry over the past 25 years[14,30]
Wild harvest still occurs in Tanzania, while ranching occurs in Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, aGobabis Veterinary Practise, PO Box 1424, Gobabis, Namibia. bJohannesburg Zoo, Private Bag X13, Parkview, 2122 South Africa. cDepartment of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600 South Africa
The remaining 38 specimens used for haematology originated from crocodiles ranging in total length from 557–1930 mm, with a mean TL of 879 mm, and a mean snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 426 mm
Summary
Crocodile farming has developed into a large global industry over the past 25 years[14,30]. Since the promulgation of CITES, the proportion of crocodilian skins supplied to the industry from wild harvests has diminished dramatically, from over 99 % in 1983 to only 6 % in 1999. Of an estimated total of 1 182 469 skins, 70 381 originated from wild harvest, 255 945 from ranches and 856 143 were captive bred[15]. Farmed crocodiles, are hatched from eggs originating from breeding stock kept on the farm. Eight of the 23 crocodilian species are currently utilised in the worldwide industry. The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is the only species utilised in Africa. CDepartment of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600 South Africa Wild harvest still occurs in Tanzania, while ranching occurs in Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, aGobabis Veterinary Practise, PO Box 1424, Gobabis, Namibia. bJohannesburg Zoo, Private Bag X13, Parkview, 2122 South Africa. cDepartment of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7600 South Africa
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