Wild Ostriches Research Articles

First record of the nematode Libyostrongylus dentatus Hoberg, Lloyd & Omar, 1995 (Trichostrongylidae) in ostriches (Struthio camelus Linnaeus, 1758) (Struthionidae) outside the Americas

BackgroundLibyostrongylus douglassii, Libyostrongylus dentatus and Libyostrongylus magnus are nematodes that infect ostriches. The first species has been identified in ostriches from Africa, Europe, Americas and Oceania. Although the natural range of ostriches is Africa, L. dentatus was first described in birds from the USA and later identified in Brazil, where co-infections with L. douglassii have been commonly reported. Libyostrongylus magnus is known from the original description only. There are a few reports on infections with L. douglassii in ostriches from Africa and all farmed birds examined are from the southern region of the continent. The aim of this report was to verify Libyostrongylus spp. infections in wild ostriches from Ethiopia. Fecal samples from ostriches, Struthio molybdophanes, were collected and submitted to coproculture. Infective larvae were identified to the species level based on general morphology and morphometry. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of the first and second internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was performed.ResultsInfective larvae from Ethiopian ostriches had the morphological characteristics of L. dentatus. Confidence interval estimate for sheath tail length from Ethiopian Libyostrongylus sp. isolates overlapped one for Brazilian L. dentatus. Neighbor-joining and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic trees based on sequences of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions revealed that the Ethiopian samples belong to the L. dentatus species clade. Monospecific infections with L. dentatus were confirmed in Ethiopian wild ostriches, opposed to the co-infections typically found in the Americas.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first record of L. dentatus from African ostriches, the region from which this parasite originated.

The elegant plume: ostrich feathers, African commercial networks, and European capitalism

Ostrich feathers have long been an important export from Africa to different European markets. The ostrich plume was a key part of the luxury trade across Mediterranean shores for centuries. The main source of ostrich feathers was from wild ostriches especially from North and West Africa. By the middle of the nineteenth century, the rising economic value of ostrich plumes triggered colonial French and British competition over this luxury commodity, leading to the establishment of domesticated ostrich farms by the French in North and West Africa and by the British in South Africa. This article uses an economic historical framework to understand colonial ostrich feather trade and its impact on French and British relations during the nineteenth century in Africa. We examine the ostrich feather commercial networks that began to emerge particularly by the middle of nineteenth century, and focus on the sources of ostrich feathers and the local practices for hunting and raising ostriches. We argue that by looking at the need for ostrich plumes in European markets and the rise in public consumption of fashion goods based on the ostrich plume, nineteenth-century European capitalism destroyed not only the wild African ostriches, but also local African livelihoods based on wild ostriches.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Influenza A Viruses (H6N8, H1N8, H4N2, H9N2, H10N7) Isolated from Wild Birds, Ducks, and Ostriches in South Africa from 2007 to 2009

Phylogenetic Analysis of Influenza A Viruses (H6N8, H1N8, H4N2, H9N2, H10N7) Isolated from Wild Birds, Ducks, and Ostriches in South Africa from 2007 to 2009

Review of ostrich (Struthio carmelis) production and its adaptability to the Nigerian poultry industry

This paper reviewed the available literature on ostrich ( Struthio carmelis ) and ostrich farming. The, origin, physical and physiological characteristics, breeding, management, nutrition, diseases, ostrich products and adaptability in Nigerian poultry industry were discussed. Ostrich originated from the Saharan region and South Africa. It is a tall, herbivorous bird, weighing on the average, 115 kg for the male and 100 kg for the female. The male has penis, which can only be differentiated from the female’s clitoris at about 7 months of age. Ostrich has Long digestive tract, which is about 24 meters without a crop. It can digest high levels of fiber. During breeding season, onset of which depends on location, females lay about 50-100 eggs of 2.0-3.0 kg depending on type of habitat. In the wild, female and male both incubate the eggs during the day and night respectively, for about 42 days. Good number of ostrich can be found living in the wild (60,000 wild ostriches in Botswana). Domestication is made possible by captive ostriches and little breeding takes place in South Africa, U.S.A. and Australia. Nutrients requirements have not been established. This is taken presently, to be little below the requirements for turkey and diet is compounded as whole life cycle diet. Newcastle disease, cocciodiosis, microsporidiosis and osteomalacia affect ostrich. Meat, eggs, feathers and tendons are obtained from ostrich. In some countries, ostrich meat is in high demand because of its low fat and cholesterol content. There is limited literature on the Nigerian ostrich and its meat is not popular. Ostrich can be found in zoos and parks in Nigeria. Few commercial and demonstration farms can be found in the Northern parts of the country. Keywords : ostrich, poultry industry, nutrition, domestication, Nigeria

Wild ostrich (Struthio camelus) ecology and physiology

This work discusses some of the important considerations of wild ostrich evolution, behaviour and ecology, as items included in ostrich production. In the process considerable research was conducted by collating information from peer-reviewed papers; textbooks; manuals; and PubMed and Agricola searches. Selected areas reviewed included activity of ostriches; feeding and water needs; sexual maturity; egg laying and natural incubation; selected physiological parameters; and predation. There is an immediate and urgent need to conserve and protect the rapidly declining populations of wild ostriches with the committed involvement of governments and funding bodies.

The wild ostrich (Struthio camelus): a review

The aim of the current report was to study the literature pertinent to wild populations of ostriches and their ecological and behavioural adaptations in the wild. Selected areas included palaeontology; ostrich distribution; conservation status and relationships with humans and habitat. There is an immediate and urgent need to conserve and protect the apparently rapidly declining populations of wild ostriches with the committed involvement of governments and funding bodies. Wildlife management is an important complement to the farming of livestock. Scientists need to understand the elements of ostrich behaviour in the wild in order to make informed decisions on their management and contact with other animals. Information of the like should be included in readily-accessible and annually updated wildlife manuals. We deemed that such information was an essential part in the conservation of this dwindling ratite.

Endoparasites and Associated Worm Burden of Captive and Free-Living Ostriches (Struthio camelus) in the Semi-Arid Region of North Eastern Nigeria

Endoparasites and associated worm burden of captive and free-living wild ostriches (Struthio camelus) in the semi arid, north-eastern part of Nigeria was investigated by random faecal sampling. The study involved a total of 100 ostriches consisting of 50 free-living in their natural habitat found at various sectors (Kwada, Jeltare, and Bulanjibia) of Chad Basin National Park and 50 others in captivity at the Sanda Kyarimi Park and from private owners within the metropolis. The ostriches belonging to the two groups were found to harbour a variety of helminth parasites such as Strongyloides, Strongyle, Capillaria, Ascaridia spp. and protozoan parasites such as Eimeria spp. Mean eggs per gram (epg) of faeces was 150±0.23 to 773±0.48 and oocyst counts per gram (opg) of faeces was 310 ± 0.34 to 393.33 ± 0.34 and were significantly (P 12 months). Sex did not show any effect on the prevalence of infection. The significance of infection as well as control measures is discussed.

A note on endoparasites of wild ostriches (Struthio camelus) in the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Gaborone, Botswana.

A study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of endoparasites of wild ostriches at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Gaborone, over a 7-month period. Large numbers of strongyle eggs were recovered from faecal material in April and September and a decline in the strongyle egg counts was evident during June and July. Noteworthy was the absence of helminth eggs in faecal samples collected from chicks and coccidia oocysts from any of the ostriches.

Haematological and immunological variables in a domesticated and wild subspecies of ostrich (Struthio camelus)

1. Domesticated ostriches have been selected rigorously for productive traits with little concern for immunological responses, in contrast to wild ostriches. 2. We hypothesised that the immunological responses of wild and domesticated ostriches would differ. Total leucocyte counts, differential counts, heterophil: lymphocyte ratios, phagocytic activity, lysosome levels and anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibody titres (total, IgG, IgM) were compared between domesticated (n =3) and wild (n =3) ostrich subspecies. 3. Total leucocytes, lymphocytes and heterophils were similar in the 2 subspecies, but basophils and eosinophils were lower in the wild than in the domesticated ostriches. Lysosome concentrations and phagocytic activities were higher in the wild ostriches. 4. Total and IgM antibody titres to SRBC reached peak values quicker in the domesticated than in wild ostriches. IgG development patterns were similar. 5. The results suggest that a stronger non-specific immune response was shown by the wild ostriches (higher phagocytosis and lysozymes) whereas a stronger specific immune response was shown by the domesticated ostriches (peak values of anti-SRBC antibody titres were reached more quickly).

Yolk lipids and their fatty acids in the wild and captive ostrich (Struthio camelus)

A comparative study has been made of the major lipid fractions and their fatty acid compositions in the yolk of eggs from ostriches under wild and farmed conditions. There were no differences in the lipid contents and proportions of the lipid fractions between the two groups of yolks. In both groups of yolks triacylglycerol and phospholipid were the major fractions. In the eggs from the wild ostriches, all the lipid fractions displayed substantial concentrations of C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids, triacylglycerol being particularly rich in linolenic acid and phospholipid rich in linoleic acid; phospholipid displayed substantial concentrations also of C20 and C22 polyunsaturates. There were considerable differences in the fatty acid compositions between the yolks. Those from the farmed birds displayed lower proportions of C18 polyunsaturates, particularly linolenic acid, throughout the lipid fractions. Compensatory increases were displayed most obviously in the concentrations of oleic acid and palmitoleic acid as well as other acids. The distinctive and extensive changes in fatty acid composition, particularly relating to the polyunsaturates, are discussed with respect to overall dietary requirements and specificities for embryo metabolism and possible effects on reproductive performance.

Field Metabolism, Water Requirements, and Foraging Behavior of Wild Ostriches in the Namib

We measured the field metabolic rate (FMR) and water influx rate (WIR) of the largest species of bird, the Ostrich (Struthio camelus), which lives in the Namib desert, one of the driest regions on earth. Along with doubly—labeled water (DLW) measurements of FMR and WIR, we examined the availability of plants in various habitats, the plants selected by Ostriches, and the daily activity patterns of these birds. During 6—8 d periods, adult Ostriches (88.25 kg) had an FMR of 18 040 kJ/d, while subadult birds (50.75 kg) metabolized energy at a rate of 15 428 kJ/d. Adult energy expenditure was 26% lower than predicted, but subadults had a FMR nearly equivalent to expectation, suggesting that adults may be more efficient at acquiring resources. Conclusions remain tentative because data for the Ostrich exceed previous data used for allometric equations by almost an order of magnitude. Gravel and stoney plains together accounted for 84% of the study area, whereas washes occupied °1%. Vegetation cover was sparse in all habitats, varying between 7 and 19% in most areas, but comprising °15% along drainage lines. Ostriches foraged on gravel plains nearly 65% of their daytime hours and 25.5% of their day in washes. They consumed a narrow range of green plants with Monechma arenicola, Schmidita kalahariensis, Blepharis spp., Trianthema triquetra, and Dicoma capensis representing the principal items in the diet. From a time—activity budget, Ostriches spent 7.5 h of their 24—h day walking, and roosted at night for 11.5 h. Transport between food patches accounted for 62.2% of FMR while nighttime rest was 19.0%. Preening and other maintenance behaviors were responsible for <1% of the Ostriches' energy budget. Ostriches had a frugal water economy when compared to other nonpasserine birds, with both subadults and adults having lower WIRs than predicted. Values for WIR were higher than allometric predictions based on four other desert birds previously studied, but because Ostriches are two orders of magnitude larger in body mass, firm conclusions await further data. Calculations of the water economy index (WEI), the ration of water influx to FMR (in millilitres of water kilojoule), showed that Ostriches conserved water like smaller desert birds. Four species of desert birds had WEI values averaging 0.16 mL/kJ; values of the Ostrich averaged 0.17 mL/kJ. An itemized water budget suggested that adults did not drink during the periods of observation, while water intake by subadults averaged 729 ml/d. This suggests that adults may have lower minimum water requirements than subadults. Combining available data for FMR and WIR with data for the Ostrich, we constructed new allometric equations that nearly span the entire range of bird size and include 62 species of birds.

EFFECTS OF GROUP SIZE AND SEX ON VIGILANCE IN OSTRICHES (STRUTHIO CAMELUS): ANTIPREDATOR STRATEGY OR MATE COMPETITION?

Summary Burger, J. & Gochfeld, M. 1988. Effects of group size and sex on vigilance in Ostriches (Struthio camelus): Antipredator Strategy or Mate Competition? Ostrich 59:14-20. We studied vigilance behaviour in wild Ostriches (Struthio camelus) in five game parks in Kenya. In 173 groups ranging from one to ten ([xbar] = 2,8 ± 2,5) birds, the overall sex ratio was 1 male: 0,78 females. Using focal animal sampling and one minute time blocks, we recorded time spent feeding, head up, walking, and preening. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression models. The variance in vigilance behaviour and time devoted to eating was explained by sex, flock size, distance from observer to the flock, nearest neighbour distance and park (but not vegetation cover). We suggest that vigilance in females relates primarily to predation pressure, and thus decreases with group size. However, in males vigilance relates to both predation pressure and social factors (male-male competition). These results suggest that vigilance...

SOME PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OSTRICH EGG INCUBATION

Summary Jarvis, M. J. F., Keffen, R. H. & Jarvis, C. 1985. Some physical requirementsfor Ostrich egg incubation. Ostrich 56: 42–51. Eggs from wild and domesticated Ostriches Struthio camelus australis were studied to determine temperature and humidity requirements for successful incubation. Wild eggs in Zimbabwe included some collected and incubated artificially, and others that were naturally incubated until just before hatching. Egg-weight losses during incubation were measured. The eggs artificially incubated at 35 °C to 36°C and 40–42% relative humidity, lost nearly the same weight as did eggs in naturally incubated nests. Comparisons were made between the wild eggs and chicks, and those from domesticated hybrid-strain Ostriches in Bophuthatswana. The discussion outlines some of the remaining problems associated with Ostrich egg incubation.

SOME MEASUREMENTS RELATING TO OSTRICH EGGS

Summary Keffen, R. H. & Jarvis, M. J. F. 1984. Some measurements relating to Ostrich eggs. Ostrich 55:182-187. Eggs from wild Zimbabwean Ostriches Struthio camelus australis and domesticated South African hybrid birds, were compared. Formulae were tested to determine their accuracy when used to calculate egg weights, surface area and density. Calculated values were compared with some actual measurements. The main motivation for the study was the need to calculate fresh egg weights of wild Ostriches, as an aid to determining weight loss during incubation under natural conditions. Eggs from wild birds were, on average, smaller than those from domesticated birds, even though the wild adults were larger than domesticated birds. However, newly batched chicks from hybrid eggs weighed less than those from wild eggs.

ASPECTS OF INCUBATION IN OSTRICHES

Summary Bertram, B. C. R. & Burger, A. E. 1981. Aspects of incubation in Ostriches. Ostrich 52:36-43. We studied incubation in domesticated Ostriches Struthio camelus in South Africa and wild Ostriches in Kenya. Although the eggs were large, with relatively high thermal capacities, unattended eggs exposed to the sun reached dangerously high temperatures (40,5°C). Experimental exposure of fresh eggs to the sun for seven days prior to incubation greatly reduced the percentage of embryos which developed, and no embryos survived 15 days of exposure. In the wild. Ostriches frequently shade their eggs in the pre-incubation period to prevent overheating. During natural incubation, temperatures in the eggs (range 30,8-33,8°C) and of nest-air (31,9-34,6°C) were remarkably constant, despite the daily ambient fluctuations of air temperatures (17,8-38,9°C). Similarly the humidity of the nest-air (39–52%) was lower and less variable than the ambient air (39–72%). Water loss during 42 days of incubation was 11–12% of i...

Vigilance and group size in ostriches

Wild ostriches were observed while feeding alone or in groups of up to four birds, and their vigilance (proportion of time with the head up) recorded. Individual vigilance declined as group size increased, mainly through a decrease in the frequency with which the head was raised. Males were more vigilant than females, mainly because they kept their heads up for longer. Vigilance was influenced more by the presence than by the vigilance of a companion. When a head would stay down for a long time was impossible for a predator to predict. It is concluded that grouping by ostriches when feeding results in only a slight reduction in the group's vulnerability to successful predator attack, but in a considerable decrease in individual vulnerability.

Ostriches recognise their own eggs and discard others

WILD ostriches (Struthio camelus L.) generally use communal nests1–4. In East Africa, 2–7 hens lay up to 13 eggs each in the same shallow scrape in the ground. Only one, the ‘major’ hen2, guards and later incubates the nest, helped by the male. Although a complete nest may contain up to 30–40 of the white 1.5-kg eggs4,5, an ostrich hen can incubate only about 20 (unpublished data). The surplus are pushed out to 1–2 m away where they are not incubated, and perish. I report here that the major hen avoids pushing out her own eggs.

Wild Asses and Ostriches in Palestine

Wild Asses and Ostriches in Palestine

Wild Asses and Ostriches in Palestine

Wild Asses and Ostriches in Palestine