Abstract
BackgroundHabitat and food supply loss and disruption, together with man’s pursuit of the animal’s unique horn pose significant threats to the charismatic rhinoceros. Filarial worms have been thought to cause cutaneous lesions in black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in Kenya and South Africa, but never in white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) in the wild, despite the fact that the two species live often in close proximity. Stephanofilaria dinniki has been implicated in the past as the causal agents for such lesions.FindingsIn this paper we report a putative filariosis outbreak in both black and white rhinos at Meru National Park in Kenya. Four black and five white rhinos were affected by various degrees of filarioid-like lesions, while apparently all sympatric wild and domestic animals were filarial worm-free. Affected rhinos were captured and successfully treated. Comparison between the epidemiological aspects of white and black rhinoceros filariosis, and the possible relations between this outbreak and annual seasons, the presence of oxpeckers and other host species are discussed.ConclusionsOur study highlights (i) that filarial infection is not restricted to black rhinos, but it affects both rhinoceros species, and (ii) the importance of the earlier detection and immediate treatment (capture-treat and release) of filarioid infections, which is of pivotal interest for wildlife conservation, and especially the endangered and isolated white and black rhinoceros populations.
Highlights
Habitat and food supply loss and disruption, together with man’s pursuit of the animal’s unique horn pose significant threats to the charismatic rhinoceros
Our study highlights (i) that filarial infection is not restricted to black rhinos, but it affects both rhinoceros species, and (ii) the importance of the earlier detection and immediate treatment of filarioid infections, which is of pivotal interest for wildlife conservation, and especially the endangered and isolated white and black rhinoceros populations
Case report In May 2011 during our routine monitoring of the health status of wild and domestic animal populations in Meru National Park, we identified five white and four black (Figure 1) rhinos with filariosis-like lesions, while apparently all other sympatric wild and domestic animals were filarioid-free
Summary
Our study highlights (i) that filarial infection is not restricted to black rhinos, but it affects both rhinoceros species, and (ii) the importance of the earlier detection and immediate treatment (capture-treat and release) of filarioid infections, which is of pivotal interest for wildlife conservation, and especially the endangered and isolated white and black rhinoceros populations. Filarial lesions in white rhinos at Meru National Park (Kenya) have been reported in captivity [9]. The aims of the present study are: (i) to describe for the first time filariosis simultaneous outbreaks in white and black rhinos from wild populations, (ii) to report the efficacy of filarid infection treatment in this wild animal. Case report In May 2011 during our routine monitoring of the health status of wild and domestic animal populations in Meru National Park, we identified five white and four black (Figure 1) rhinos with filariosis-like lesions, while apparently all other sympatric wild and domestic animals were filarioid-free.
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