Abstract
BackgroundIn Zambia, translocation of wildlife from National Parks to private owned game ranches demands that only animals free of infectious diseases that could adversely affect the expansion of the wildlife industry should be translocated to game ranches. Sarcoptes mange (Sarcoptes scarbiei) has been involved in the reduction of wildlife populations in some species.ResultsSarcoptes mange (Sarcoptes scarbiei) was detected and eradicated from two herds of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) calves captured in the Kafue GMA in July 2004 and August 2005. The overall prevalence was estimated at 89.5% (77/86). Sex had no influence on the occurrence and severity of the disease. Of the 86 calves used in the study, 72.1% had good body condition scores, 20.9% were fair and 7.0% were poor. Of the 77 infected calves, 53.2% were mildly infected, 28.6% were moderately and 18.2% were severely infected. Body condition score was correlated to the severity of the infection (r = 0.72, p < 0.000, n = 86) at capture. Eradication of Sarcoptes mites from the entire herd using ivermetcin was dependant on the severity of the infection. The overall ability of ivermectin to clear the infection after the first treatment was estimated at 81.8% (n = 77). It increased to 94.8% and 100% after the second and third treatments respectively.ConclusionThis is the first report on the epidemiology and treatment of Sarcoptes mange in African buffaloes in Zambia. This study improves our understanding about Sarcoptes scabiei epidemiology and treatment which will have further applications for the safe animal translocation.
Highlights
In Zambia, translocation of wildlife from National Parks to private owned game ranches demands that only animals free of infectious diseases that could adversely affect the expansion of the wildlife industry should be translocated to game ranches
The expansion of the game ranching industry in Zambia as an ex-situ conservation strategy has led to the translocation of several wildlife species from state owned National Parks (NPs) and game management areas (GMAs) to private owned game ranches in recent years
Infectious diseases such as foot and mouth disease, Sarcoptes mange and bovine tuberculosis are a major constraint to the translocation of wildlife [17] because regulations demand that only animals not infected with such infectious diseases should be translocated to game ranches
Summary
In Zambia, translocation of wildlife from National Parks to private owned game ranches demands that only animals free of infectious diseases that could adversely affect the expansion of the wildlife industry should be translocated to game ranches. The expansion of the game ranching industry in Zambia as an ex-situ conservation strategy has led to the translocation of several wildlife species from state owned National Parks (NPs) and game management areas (GMAs) to private owned game ranches in recent years. Infectious diseases such as foot and mouth disease, Sarcoptes mange and bovine tuberculosis are a major constraint to the translocation of wildlife [17] because regulations demand that only animals not infected with such infectious diseases should be translocated to game ranches. This paper discusses the clinical observations made and the treatment regime used to eradicate sarcoptic mange from the entire herd of buffalo calves captured in the Kafue GMA prior to translocation
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