Eco-epidemiological and pathological features of wildlife mortality events related to cyanobacterial bio-intoxication in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
Field | Value | |
Title | Eco-epidemiological and pathological features of wildlife mortality events related to cyanobacterial bio-intoxication in the Kruger National Park, South Africa | |
Creator | Bengis, Roy Govender, Danny Lane, Emily Myburgh, Jan Oberholster, Paul Buss, Peter Prozesky, Leon Keet, Dewald | |
Description | Over the past decade, several clustered, multispecies, wildlife mortality events occurred in the vicinity of two man-made earthen dams in the southern and south central regions of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. On field investigation, heavy cyanobacterial blooms were visible in these impoundments and analysis of water samples showed the dominance of Microcystis spp. (probably Microcystis aeruginosa). Macroscopic lesions seen at necropsy and histopathological lesions were compatible with a diagnosis of cyanobacterial intoxication. Laboratory toxicity tests and assays also confirmed the presence of significant levels of microcystins in water from the two dams. These outbreaks occurred during the dry autumn and early winter seasons when water levels in these dams were dropping, and a common feature was that all the affected dams were supporting a large number of hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius). It is hypothesised that hippopotamus’ urine and faeces, together with agitation of the sediments, significantly contributed to internal loading of phosphates and nitrogen – leading to eutrophication of the water in these impoundments and subsequent cyanobacterial blooms. A major cause for concern was that a number of white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) were amongst the victims of these bio-intoxication events. This publication discusses the eco-epidemiology and pathology of these clustered mortalities, as well as the management options considered and eventually used to address the problem. | |
Publisher | AOSIS | |
Date | 2016-10-31 | |
Identifier | 10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1391 | |
Source | Journal of the South African Veterinary Association; Vol 87, No 1 (2016); 9 pages 2224-9435 1019-9128 | |
Language | eng | |
Relation |
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https://jsava.co.za/index.php/jsava/article/view/1391/1798
https://jsava.co.za/index.php/jsava/article/view/1391/1797
https://jsava.co.za/index.php/jsava/article/view/1391/1799
https://jsava.co.za/index.php/jsava/article/view/1391/1796
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