Parasitic Contamination Incidences at Inspection of Harvested Springbok (Antidorcas marsupials) and Gemsbok (Oryx gazelle) in Namibia

Abstract

Little work has been conducted on parasitic infestation of harvested wild game at game abattoirs in Namibia. The aim of this study was to assess parasitic contaminations that occur in two commonly harvested Namibia game species. We examined springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and gemsbok (Oryx gazelle) carcasses for parasite infestation and rectal contents from eviscerated gut for worm egg counts among other routine inspection protocols. A filarial worm, Skrjabinodera kuelzii was found in 104 out of 540 carcasses harvested from separate 3 farms and then submitted for cutting and deboning. These filarial worms were predominantly between the hindquarter muscles, pelvis region and sometimes in renal fat. As a precautionary measure, these carcasses were condemned whole or part depending on the level of infestation. The larvae and filarial worms were only found in springbok but not in gemsbok carcasses. Worm eggs of strongyle, Strongyloides papillosus, Toxocara spp, Trichuris spp and coccidia were found in variable numbers in both springbok and gemsbok faeces, indicating a potential risk of transmission to other susceptible species in the ecosystem. The unusual deep muscle contamination of springbok carcasses by S. kuelzii are significant findings which should be considered during routine meat inspection of harvested wildlife.