Implementing immunocontraception in free-ranging African elephants at Makalali Conservancy
| Autor: | Audrey Delsink, Jay F. Kirkpatrick, J.J. Van Altena, Rob Slotow, Henk J. Bertschinger, D. Grobler |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2007 |
| Předmět: |
Male
Game reserve Conservation of Natural Resources Veterinary medicine Porcine zona pellucida Swine Loxodonta Africana Cost-Benefit Analysis Elephants Population Animals Wild Elephant Management Population control African elephant South Africa biology.animal Animals Contraception Immunologic Socioeconomics education PZP Implementation Social disruption Zona Pellucida Immunocontraception education.field_of_study lcsh:Veterinary medicine General Veterinary biology Cost–benefit analysis General Medicine lcsh:SF600-1100 Female Population Control Business |
| Zdroj: | Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, Vol 78, Iss 1, Pp 25-30 (2007) |
| ISSN: | 2224-9435 1019-9128 |
| Popis: | The goal of programmes to provide contraception for elephants should be to formulate an approach that does not require the relocation or immobilisation of the same individual year after year, which would be long-lasting and cause minimal disruption to social and reproductive behaviour. The programmes should be simple to administer, safe and cost-effective, and must meet the objectives defined by managers in the field. An immunocontraceptive programme was initiated in a small free-roaming population of elephants at the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve in Limpopo Province in 2000 to determine whether the porcine zona pellucida (pZP) vaccine can successfully control population sizes. Further objectives were to determine implementation costs and efficiency through a multi-faceted approach. We have demonstrated that immunocontraception meets the objectives set by managers in the field. Minimal social disruption was observed over the course of treatment, with the mode of delivery (ground or aerial vaccinations) determining the degree of stress within herds and speed of resumption of normal movement patterns. Aerial vaccinations resulted in the least disturbance, with target herds being approachable within a day. In 2005, implementation costs were R880-R1000 / elephant / year, inclusive of darts, vaccine, helicopter and veterinary assistance. Irrespective of the source or method of vaccine delivery, a non-pregnant elephant is rendered infertile from 1st vaccine administration. The sooner immunocontraception is implemented, the sooner population growth rates can be controlled. pZP contraception is a realistic alternative management tool, particularly if used as part of a long-termmanagement strategy. Mass-darting from the air eliminates the need for detailed individual histories of each elephant or for employing a person to monitor elephants. Thus, implementation of immunocontraception in larger populations is feasible and practical. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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