Lechwe Research Articles

Brucella seroprevalence of the Kafue lechwe ( Kobus leche kafuensis) and Black lechwe ( Kobus leche smithemani): Exposure associated to contact with cattle

We investigated Brucella seroprevalence in Kafue ( Kobus leche kafuensis) and Black ( Kobus leche smithemani) lechwe antelopes to assess Brucella infections in relation to presence/absence of cattle interaction on the wetlands. Accordingly, two study populations based on cattle interaction were assesed: Kafue lechwe from Kafue flats which interact with cattle; and the Black lechwe with no known interaction with cattle from the Bangweulu swamps. Fourteen Kafue lechwe and thirty Black lechwe were slaughtered between October and December 2009 using special research licenses obtained from the Zambia wildlife authority to investigate diseases in lechwe antelope. For the purpose of this study, blood was collected and sera separated for Rose Bengal and indirect ELISA tests. Seroprevalence of Brucella in the Kafue lechwe was estimated at 42.9% [95% CI: 15.2-70.5] while that in Black lechwe was 0% [95% CI:0.0-11.6]. On the Kafue flats, cattle were spotted grazing in the same areas as lechwe while there was no evidence of cattle presence on the Bangweulu swamps. These differences in seroprevalence between Kafue lechwe and Black lechwe were assumed to be associated with interaction between Kafue lechwe and Brucella infected cattle, and no such contact existed between cattle and the Black lechwe. Our study suggests that brucellosis in the Kafue lechwe may have originated from cattle but has now established a reservoir in wild animals. It is also important to keep in mind that the Black lechwe can easily become infected with Brucella spp. once cattle are introduced in the surrounding areas.

Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in cattle and lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) at the slaughter house

The detection and diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in food-producing animals is critical to human health. In this study we applied the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) system to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) directly in 57 cattle and six lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) carcasses exhibiting lesions characteristic of TB. The samples were first subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy, followed by culture and LAMP assay. In addition, multiplex-PCR was used to determine the species involved. Of the samples from the cattle, 84.2% (95% confidence interval: 71.6-92.1) were found positive with Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy, 93.0% (95% confidence interval: 82.2-97.7) with culture, and 94.7% (95% confidence interval: 84.5-98.6) with the LAMP system while the Kobus leche kafuensis samples were all positive for all techniques used. These results indicate that the LAMP system can be used to augment the detection and surveillance of TB in animals; hence can be a very useful tool in the veterinary field and in public health.

A Review of Bovine Tuberculosis in the Kafue Basin Ecosystem

The Kafue basin ecosystem is the only remaining natural habitat for the endangered Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche Kafuensis). However, hydroelectricity power production, large-scale sugar plantations, commercial fishing and increasing livestock production are threatening its natural existence and sustainability. Further, increasing human settlements within and around the Kafue basin have resulted in decreased grazing grounds for the Kafue lechwe antelopes despite a corresponding increase in cattle population sharing the same pasture. Baseline epidemiological data have persistently reported findings of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in both wild and domestic animals, although these have been deficient in terms of describing direct evidence in the role of either lechwe antelopes or cattle in the reported observations. Despite the current literature being deficient in establishing the casual role and transmission patterns of BTB, a bimodal route of infection at the livestock/wildlife interface has been postulated. Likewise, it is not known how much of (BTB) has the potential of causing disease in humans. This paper, seeks to underline those aspects that need further research and update available data on BTB in the Kafue basin with regards to the prevalence, distribution, risk factors, threats on wildlife conservation, livestock production, public health implications, and possible mitigatory measures.

Investigating effects of parasite infection on body condition of the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in the Kafue basin

BackgroundThe Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche Kafuensis), a medium-sized semi-aquatic antelope, is endemic to the Kafue basin of Zambia. The population of the Kafue lechwe has significantly dropped in the last decades leading to its subsequent inclusion on the red list of endangered species. In order to save the remaining population from extinction, it has become increasingly important that the impact of parasite infection and infestation on the Kafue lechwe is investigated.FindingsEndoparasites accounted for the majority of parasites observed from a study of 40 Kafue lechwe occurring in the the Kafue basin. Amphistoma spp. were present in all animals examined, while Fasciola gigantica had a prevalence rate of 0.525 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.69) and species of Schistosoma 0.3 (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.45). Among the ectoparasites, Strobiloestrous vanzyli, had a prevalence rate of 0.15 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.27), while Rhipicephalus appendiculatus had a prevalence of 0.075 (3/40). Our findings indicate that body condition was not influenced by the parasitic infestation in Kafue lechwe. There was no association between sex and parasitic burden (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.8-1.3). However, an association between age and parasitic burden was observed as older animals above 15 years were more likely to get parasite infections than those aged between 1-5 years (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.4).ConclusionOverall, there was no evidence that parasitic infections and infestations adversely affected the lechwe population on the Kafue basin. These findings indicate that ecto- and endo-parasite infestation might not play a significant role in reducing the Kafue lechwe population on the Kafue basin.

SEROSURVEY OF BRUCELLA SPP. INFECTION IN THE KAFUE LECHWE (KOBUS LECHE KAFUENSIS) OF THE KAFUE FLATS IN ZAMBIA

One of the diseases of veterinary and public health importance affecting the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) on the Kafue flats is brucellosis, for which only scant information is available. During the 2003 (October), 2004 (December), and 2008 (July-December) hunting seasons in the Kafue flats, we conducted a study to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella spp. in the Kafue lechwe and to evaluate serologic tests for detection of Brucella spp. antibodies in lechwe. The Rose Bengal Test (RBT), competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), and fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) were used. A total of 121 Kafue lechwe were hunted for disease investigations in 2003, 2004, and 2008 in the Kafue Flat Game Management Area. Of these, 21.6%, (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.2-29.1%) had detectable antibodies to Brucella spp. The Kafue lechwe in Lochnivar National Park had higher antibody results than those in Blue Lagoon National Park (odds ratio=3.0; 95% CI: 0.94-9.4). Infection levels were similar in females (21.6%) and males (21.7%). Results were similar among RBT, FPA, cELISA tests, suggesting that these could effectively be used in diagnosing brucellosis in the Kafue lechwe. Our study demonstrates the presence of Brucella infections in the Kafue lechwe in two national parks located in the Kafue flats and further highlights the suitability of serologic assays for testing the Kafue lechwe. Because the Kafue lechwe is the most hunted wildlife species in Zambia, hunters need to be informed of the public health risk of Brucella spp. infection.

Tuberculosis in Kafue lechwe antelopes (Kobus leche Kafuensis) of the Kafue Basin in Zambia

Tuberculosis (TB) has been reported in the Kafue lechwe antelopes (Kobus leche Kafuensis) of Zambia. However, previous reports are restricted to the southern parts in Lochinvar, where only old male animals were investigated. This study was conducted to gather epidemiological information on TB in Lechwe antelopes across sexes and age groups in relation to other explanatory variables of disease occurrence in the Kafue Basin. Animals were hunted under a special licence to investigate diseases in the Kafue Basin during the 2004, 2005 and 2008 hunting seasons. Histopathology, acid-fast staining and mycobacterial culturing from tissue samples were conducted. A total of 119 animals were slaughtered with an estimated age range of 2.5–20 years. Of these, 29 (24.3% [95% CI: 16.5, 32.3%]) had necropsy lesions suggestive of tuberculosis, of which 21 (17.6% [95% CI: 10.7, 24.6%]) tested positive on acid-fast staining while 33 (27.7% [95% CI: 19.6, 35.9%]) showed culture and colony morphological characteristics suggestive of Mycobacterium species. On univariate analysis, animals with poor body condition were twice as likely to have tuberculosis associated lesions as those having good body conditions (OR=2.3, 95% CI: 0.6, 9.3%). Based on lesion distribution, a respiratory route of mycobacterial infection is intimated.

Helminth parasites of the Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis): a potential source of infection to domestic animals in the Kafue wetlands of Zambia

The Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis), a medium-sized, semi-aquatic antelope, grazes extensively on pastures accessed by livestock in and around Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon national parks in the Kafue wetlands of Zambia. This interaction has a potential for bi-modal transmission of a wide range of parasitic helminths between lechwe and domestic ruminants. A survey was conducted to investigate the status of helminths in the Kafue lechwe during the 2008 (July-December) hunting season, involving 65 animals hunted under special research licences. Worm identification was based on morphological features using standard identification keys. Eleven different types of helminths were identified in the animals studied; namely, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Cooperia, Dictyocaulus, Marshallagia, Stilesia, Setaria, Trichuris, Fasciola, amphistomes and Schistosoma. Amphistomes (100%) and Oesophagostomum (60.9%) were the most common while Fasciola (7.8%) and Stilesia (1.6%) were the least of the identified helminths. There was no evidence that helminths, at intensities observed, adversely affected the health of the lechwe. The degree of worm infection was observed to vary between the two study areas, with Blue Lagoon recording higher infection levels compared to Lochinvar. The host range of many of the helminths found in the Kafue lechwe is broad and could serve as a potentially stable source of infection to domestic animals such as goats and cattle. Therefore, issues concerning livestock management and conservation may arise.

Trypanosoma brucei Infection in Asymptomatic Greater Kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) on a Game Ranch in Zambia

Trypomastogotes of Trypanosoma brucei were detected from 4 asymptomatic kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) on a game ranch located approximately 45 km north east of Lusaka, Zambia. Blood smears examined from 14 wildlife species comprising of the impala (Aepyceros melampus), Kafue lechwe (kobus leche kafuensis), sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus), warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus), puku (Kobus vardoni), zebra (Equus burchelli), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), reedbuck (Redunca arundinum), wilderbeest (Connochaetes taurinus), hartebeest (Alcephelus lichtensteini), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) showed that only the kudu had T. brucei. Although game ranching has emerged to be a successful ex-situ conservation strategy aimed at saving the declining wildlife population in the National Parks, our findings suggest that it has the potential of aiding the re-distribution of animal diseases. Hence, there is a need for augmenting wildlife conservation with disease control strategies aimed at reducing the risk of disease transmission between wildlife and domestic animals.

Management of the invasive Mimosa pigra L. in Lochinvar National Park, Zambia

Mimosa pigra L. is a tropical/sub-tropical spiny shrub that is becoming invasive in several parts of Asia, Australia and Africa. It is spreading on several floodplains where it can form thick, impenetrable, one-species stands that exclude other plants and most animals - both terrestrial and aquatic. M. pigra has invaded the floodplain of the Kafue River - a significant tributary of the Zambezi - in Zambia, especially within the regularly flooded areas of Lochinvar National Park (LNP). Here it has spread from a small infestation of about 2 ha in the early 1980s to at least 29,000 ha by 2005 - and is still spreading. This invasion is occupying a significant proportion of the protected floodplain - in the national park, which is also a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and an Important Bird Area - with significant exclusion and negative impacts on the local biodiversity and on tourism, conservation and floodplain use by livestock and fisheries. The spread of M. pigra has resulted in the disappearance of some lekking sites for the endemic and vulnerable Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis) and its displacement from LNP into areas where it receives less protection resulting in increased illegal off-take of this threatened sub-species. Additionally, dense M. pigra stands have occupied preferred habitat for water birds and its further spread is likely to result in a drastic collapse of water bird populations in LNP. In response, the Environmental Council of Zambia in collaboration with the Zambia Wildlife Authority and with the support of a UNEP/GEF Project has conducted physical and chemical control measures since 2007. Thus far, an area approximated at 501.6 ha (17.3% of the current M. pigra infestation in LNP) has been cleared, resulting in the return of some water birds and herbivores including the lechwe. This paper presents the current status of the Mimosa invasion, its impact on biodiversity and the current control measures being employed, with emphasis on clearance of the invasive Mimosa in the protected areas.

Bovine tuberculosis in southern African wildlife: a multi-species host-pathogen system.

This review examines the current situation of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in southern African savannah systems, and uses theory on multi-species host-pathogen systems to suggest possible options for future research and management. In southern Africa, the buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Kafue lechwe [Marsh antelope] (Kobus leche) have been found to be maintenance hosts for this disease, but the importance of other host species is becoming apparent. The role of other host species in the maintenance and spread of the disease varies, depending on the spatial distribution and resource utilization patterns of the species, disease susceptibility, transmission modes and the ecology of both host(s) and vector(s). Future research needs to identify the pathogenicity of bTB in each of the host species, and the mechanisms and rates of inter- and intra-specific transmission among different species, in order to develop multi-host models to understand the development and spread of the disease.

The Upemba lechwe,Kobus anselli: an antelope new to science emphasizes the conservation importance of Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo

Thirty-five museum specimens collected in 1926 and 1947–48 vouch for the distinctiveness of an undescribed large mammal, a form of lechwe antelope. Their preservation has allowed comparative analyses of morphological characters to reveal this new species, the Upemba lechwe Kobus anselli sp. nov. It is most similar to the black lechwe K. smithemani and quite distinct from all other known taxa, including topotypical red lechwes K. leche. Prevailing threats and conservation concerns underwrite its formal description after neglect by science for decades. This lechwe is restricted to the Upemba wetlands, Kamalondo depression, south-east Congo basin (Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo), and has declined greatly since the 1970s. Commercial poaching through the 1980s reduced c. 20000 individuals to under 1000 estimated today. Recognition of K. anselli as a distinct evolutionary entity was previously ignored, because the entrenched taxonomy assumed it was just another red lechwe. Its speciation seems to be recent, probably Pleistocene. Lechwes evolved in an archipelago of wetlands formed through vicariance of a more extensive drainage system, the Palaeo-Chambeshi, which extended from Katanga and north-east Zambia across the south-central African plateau, into the Kalahari basin. The Palaeo-Chambeshi was a major endoreic tributary of Palaeo-Lake Makgadikgadi. Its fragmentation isolated lechwes in the Kamalondo depression from wetlands in the Upper Zambezi–Okavango, Upper Kafue, and the Chambeshi and Luapula drainages. The belated discovery of K. anselli emphasizes the region's conservation significance. Because of its high species richness and high endemism, Katanga is a biodiversity hotspot within the encompassing Katanga–Chambeshi region, also covering eastern Angola and much of Zambia. A secure future for the critically endangered Upemba lechwe hinges on reducing adverse human impact and maintaining the integrity of its wetland habitat. Support for protected areas is critical. Maintenance of ecological processes, focused on aquatic systems, is especially important to conserve biodiversity. Recognition of the complex evolutionary history of the region (since the Late Neogene) underpins the scientific foundation for all conservation plans and activities. It prescribes why a regional conservation strategy should encompass the landscape mosaic, structured across neighbouring drainage systems (Lufira, Upper Lualaba and Chambeshi–Luapula rivers). A trans-frontier conservation area will consolidate the protected areas and land use systems of the region in an ecological context.

Hydrological and ecological impacts of dams on the Kafue Flats floodplain system, southern Zambia

Developmental changes in river basins in Africa have become a reality. Many wetland ecosystems have been impacted by dams and other hydrological interventions resulting in both foreseen and unexpected consequences. The Kafue Flats in southern Zambia is an extensive floodplain system that lies within the middle Kafue river basin. The floodplain is about 255 km long and 60 km wide, covering an area of approximately 6,500 km 2. It is currently sandwiched between two large dams which are approximately 270 km apart. These dams have completely altered the hydrological regime of the system. Backwater from the downstream dam and releases from upstream have created a permanently flooded area within the floodplain that was not present in the past. Elsewhere, flooding has been reduced. The ecological consequences of these changes for the floodplain, which hosts two national parks (both Ramsar sites), have been extensive. Hydrological and vegetation changes have impacted the habitat for important wildlife communities including the endemic antelope, Kobus leche kafuensis. The most dramatic change in vegetation is associated with the colonisation of parts of the floodplain by the invasive alien plant, Mimosa pigra. This paper discusses these changes and their potential consequences.

Comparison of aerial counts with ground counts for large African herbivores

1 Over the past 50 years, aerial counts have been widely used in African wildlife management; however, the accuracy of the resulting estimates has rarely been questioned. The reliability of aerial counts of large African herbivores was examined by comparing the results of a series of systematic aerial sample counts with those from a series of line transect foot counts conducted in the Lupande Game Management Area in Zambia. 2 For most large herbivore species, the estimates from the aerial counts were considerably lower than those from the ground counts. The data pointed to undercounting as a major problem of aerial surveys. During the aerial counts, significant numbers of animals were missed on the transects, first due to the low probability of spotting single animals, small groups of animals and less conspicuous ones (sighting probability bias), and secondly because part of the population was concealed by obstructions and therefore not visible to the observers (visibility bias). 3 The main factors that influence visibility of large herbivores from the air are the animals’ reactions to an over-flying aircraft, dispersion, body size and colour. Animals that move in response to an aircraft are more likely to be seen than static ones; dark-coloured animals are easier to spot than light-coloured ones against a light background; large herds are easier to detect than small ones; and large animals are more easily seen than small ones. Body size is important while trying to spot grazers and mixed feeders from the air, while colour is important for spotting browsers. This is mainly due to the differences in habitat use, with browsers being confined to the thicker habitat. 4 To minimize undercounting bias, both conventional aerial counts and aerial line transect counts should be restricted to large conspicuous grazers and mixed feeders in medium to large group sizes, such as elephant Loxodonta africana africana , buffalo Sincerus caffer , zebra Equus burchell , wildebeest Connochaetes and lechwe Kobus leche . Operational factors, such as height, speed and strip width, should be kept within reasonable limits for conventional aerial counts. Only one species should be counted at a time, always applying the double-count technique. For aerial line transect counts, the use of a helicopter is a prerequisite to obtaining accurate estimates. Other important considerations are observer experience and flight duration.

An investigation of heavy metal exposure and risks to wildlife in the Kafue flats of Zambia.

Exposure and ecological risks to heavy metals (copper, zinc, manganese, iron) at Lochnivar and Blue Lagoon National Parks in wildlife dependent on the Kafue river contaminated with mining waste was evaluated. Samples included water, fish, grasses and Kafue Lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) liver. At both parks copper ranged from 0.03-0.04 mg/l; 3.0-6.0 mg/kg; 11.0-44.0 mg/kg; trace -199.0 mg/kg; while zinc was 0.01 mg/l; 32.0-82.0 mg/kg; 15.0-21.0 mg/kg; and 52.0-138.0 mg/kg; in water, fish, grasses and lechwe, respectively. Manganese ranges were 0.15-0.16 mg/l; 7.0-18.0 mg/kg; 51.0-145.0 mg/kg; and 40.0-53.0 mg/kg while iron ranges were 0.13-0.14 mg/l; 26.0-134.0 mg/kg; 1766.0-1797.0 mg/kg; and 131.0-856.0 mg/kg; in water, fish, grasses and lechwe, respectively. Levels in all samples except water were high indicating potential for adverse effects.

Lekking, resource defense, and harassment in two subspecies of lechwe antelope

For lek-breeding in ungulate populations to continue, benefits to males defending lck territories and to females visiting leks must outweigh the costs. In this study, Kafue lechwe males on leks gained higher mating rates than nonlekking males, a result of sexually receptive females leaving herds and aggregating on leks. When die numbers of females on leks were experimentally reduced, benefits to males decreased, resulting in males gradually abandoning lek territories. A comparison with a population of nonlekking, resource-defending black lechwe showed that mating attempts by estrous females in herds were disrupted by harassing males eight times more frequently in a population of lek-breeding Kafue lechwe than in the nonlekking black lechwe. Despite the fact that there were fewer Kafue lechwe females on single territories, harassment of estrous females by males was greater on single territories of Kafue lechwe than on leks and greater than on black lechwe resource territories. Females were also absent on Kafue lechwe single territories for long periods because of erratic widespread movements of compact herds resulting from unpredictable distributions of resources. In contrast, black lechwe females were more evenly dispersed over homogeneous resources and for a given territory, females were likely to be present most of the time. Therefore, unlike black lechwe, male Kafue lechwe find it uneconomical to defend resource territories. Thus, costs to estrous females mating off leks and the absence of benefits to males attempting to defend resource-based territories may be important cofactors in the appearance of lek-breeding in some ungulate populations.

Reproductive seasonality in Kafue lechwe antelope

Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kufuensis) inhabit a wetland area of the Kafue Flats in southern Zambia and have seasonal peaks in mating and calving. The construction of a hydroelectric scheme has recently altered the time of year when flooding starts, and there has been a corresponding change in peak mating and calving dates. In this study, Kafue lechwe mated mainly during the dry part of the year when grass quality and quantity was at its lowest and when water levels were increasing and thus inundating any potential food. As rising water levels corresponded with increases in numbers of oestrous females on leks (both before and after dam impoundment), and with increased mating rates in two other subspecies of lechwe (the black and red lechwe), floods appear to act as a proximate cue for the initiation of mating. Mating during rises in water levels results in most calving occurring seven months later (the gestation period) when the floodwaters are receding and exposing optimal forage, irrespective of the time of year, and this increases the survival of the lactating mothers and their calves.

Disruptions of matings, harassment and lek-breeding in Kafue lechwe antelope

Females of lek-breeding ungulates are commonly thought to mate on leks because leks provide opportunities for females to choose particular males, and enable them to produce offspring that receive genetic benefits. An additional benefit may be that selection has resulted in oestrous females avoiding harassment by non-territorial males in herds. In Kafue lechwe,Kobus leche kafuensisHaltenorth, a lek-breeding ungulate, female mating rates in large unstable herds were lower than on leks because a large proportion of mating attempts were terminated prematurely by competing non-territorial males. In addition, sexually receptive females in herds were chased more frequently and for greater distances by males than sexually receptive females on leks. Once females left herds they were more likely to accumulate on leks than on single territories because the former retained more females than the latter. Such retention of oestrous females in clustered territories may also generate benefits to males that establish territories near to one another.

Dermatophilosis (Cutaneous streptothricosis) in Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis).

Extensive dermatitis caused by Dermatophilus congolensis was identified in two kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in Lochinvar National Park of Zambia. The lesions were characterized by thickening of the skin, crusts, and nodfule formation. Almost all parts of the body were affected. Histologically there was an exudative dermatitis with acanthosis, parakeratosis, hyperkeratosis, and an exudate rich in neutrophils. This is the first known report of dermatophilosis in lechwe.

Blood Serum Biochemical Values of Neonatal Antelopes of the Subfamilies Reduncinae and Hippotraginae

V Aha1a J., F. Kale: Blood Serum Biochemical Values of Neonatal Antelopes of the Subfamilies Reduncinae and Hippotraginae. Acta vet. Bmo, 63, 1994: 109-113. Values of 17 blood serum biochemical indicators obtained in 1to4-day old antelopes of 10 species of the Subfamilies Reduncinae andHippotraginae kept in the Zoological Garden at DvQr Kd10v6 are reported. Interspecies differences in the values were more pronounced in the Hippotraginae than in the Reduncinae. The values recorded for the neonatal antelopes were compared with the published data on adult animals of the same species kept in the Zoological Garden at DvQr Kdlov6. Antelopes, neonates, captivity, blood serum, biochemistry. Blood serum biochemical values of captive antelopes have received little attention to date. The present study reports the values obtained in neonatal antelopes of 10 species of the subfamilies Reduncinae and Hippotraginae, namely, mountain reedbucks (Reduncafulvorufula), Lady Grey's waterbucks (Kobus megaceros), lechwe waterbucks (Kobus leche), defassa waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa), common waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus), roan antelopes (Hippotragus equinus), sable antelopes (Hippotragus niger), addax (Addax nasomaculatus), scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), gemsboks (Oryx gazella gazella) in the Zoological GarI den at DvQr KIilov6 during the period 1982 to 1990. I Materials and Methods Blood samples were withdrawn from the vena jugularis of manually restrained clinically healthy 1to 4-day old antelopes on the occasion of preventive measures throughout the year. Included in the study were only those neonates that developed no disease during the following 14 days. Basic information on animals of the individual species are presented in Table 1. The blood samples were collected into glass test-tubes and allowed to stand at room temperature. The samples were forwarded to the laboratory for processing within 60 minutes of collection. The bloodserum biochemical values weredeteImined with methods usedroutinely in clinical practice (pos pi m et al.1987). Means (x) and standard deviations (S.D.) were computed from the values obtained for each species regardless of sex. The significance of the differences between the species was analysed using Student's t -test separately for each subfamily.

Serum chemistry profiles for Lechwe waterbucks ( Kobus leche): Variations with age and sex

1. 1. Over an 8-year period, 19 biochemical parameters have been determined at various ages in the blood serum of 92 clinically healthy Lechwe waterbucks ( Kobus leche), 33 males and 59 females. 2. 2. Significant differences have been noted with age. In neonates, the lowest values of total proteins, glucose, creatinine, urea, AST, ALT and iron have been noted; the highest ones have been seen for cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, calcium and phosphorus. 3. 3. With regard to sex, raised values of glucose, urea, alkaline phosphatase and ALT, and lowered values of cholesterol, have been noted in juvenile females compared with males of the same age. 4. 4. In adult females, higher levels of urea and cholesterol and lower levels of glucose, triglycerides and natrium have been recorded compared with males. 5. 5. With sex and age, no significant changes have been found in the levels of GGT, magnesium, chlorides and copper. 6. 6. Out findings are discussed with those abstracted from the literature for related species.