Major diseases of nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) with focus on current status in Arba Minch crocodile ranch, Ethiopia
2020
Delene, Kasahun | Lemma, Alemayehu | Fesseha, Haben
Crocodylus niloticus is found in 26 African countries including Ethiopia, the largest recorded specimen measuring 17.0 feet Nile crocodile from the Gambela Upeno River in 1969. Its presence and absence also depend on the climatic conditions and the environment (i.e. the landscape for basking and feeding). In Ethiopia, Nile crocodiles have a mating period during September to October, Nesting occurs in the dry season December to January, and hatchling takes place at the onset of the rainy season, i.e. March/April months. Over the period of 2007-2016 an average of 201,000 Crocodylus niloticus skins were exported globally per year, with an increasing trend over the period 2009-2016. Besides the management problems, at Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch, Nile crocodiles are suffering from nutritional abnormalities and health problems. The diseases of the Nile crocodile are classified as infectious (transmissible) and non-infectious (non-transmissible). A transmissible crocodile disease includes bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoan, and parasitic diseases; non-transmissible crocodile diseases are nutritional, toxic poisonings and metabolic disorders; other diseases like nutritional bone diseases and skin lesions are the major health problems at Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch. The main aim of this review is to highlight the major diseases and management status of Crocodylus niloticus in Arba Minch ranches, Ethiopia. In conclusion, the Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch (AMCR) should exercise care and caution when introducing hatchlings from the wild into the Ranch and enhance its husbandry methods to reduce the occurrence of infection and disease. It must also work with professionals and research groups.
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