 Reference Base  Mortalities associated with the capture, translocation, t... |
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McCulloch, B.; Achard, P.L., 1969. Mortalities associated with the capture, translocation, trade and exhibition of black rhinoceroses, Diceros bicornis. International Zoo Yearbook 9: 184-191
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| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Tanzania |
| Subject: |
Diseases - Bacterial |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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It was noted that the Lamai rhinoceroses were essentially grass eaters, whereas those at the Grumeti browsed to a large extent on woodland bush. It is known that grazing, as distinct from browsing, encourages the propagation of intestinal parasites. Helminthiasis can be further aggravated by coprophagous habits. This vice, which has been reported amongst rhinoceros elsewhere (Klingel & Klingel,1966), was particularly noticeable under captive conditions in the Lamai, and may have contributed to the worm build up there. S. tremletti was first identified in samples taken from Black rhinoceros in the Tsavo National Park, Kenya (Round, 1962). In this area elephant Loxodonta africana had caused widespread destruction of natural habitat and rhinoceroses were dying from malnutrition (Glover & Sheldrick, 1964). Round confirmed the identification of S. tremletti at Lamai and drew attention to concurrent Kiluluma infestation. Thus, in view of the experiences at the Tsavo and at the Lamai, there may be a case for regarding S. tremletti as a pathogenic nematode in Black rhinoceros.
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