 Reference Base  An urgent research problem on the elephant and rhino popu... |
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Glover, P.E.; Sheldrick, D., 1964. An urgent research problem on the elephant and rhino populations of the Tsavo National Park in Kenya. Bulletin of Epizootic Diseases of Africa 12: 33-38
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| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Kenya |
| Subject: |
Diseases - Parasites |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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It was noticed that many of the rhino had extensive black patches on their sides which microscopic examination showed to be a thin film of dried blood. At first it was thought that it may have been caused by heavy infestations of biting flies, Luperosia sp., and another as yet unidentified muscid. Both these flies were found breeding in rhino faecal middens. Efforts have been made to breed them in the laboratory with varying degrees of success, and studies at Voi have revealed that under optimum conditions the muscids appear to have an 18-day breeding cycle. More recent studies of the blood films, however, indicate that the black patches may not be caused solely by biting flies and emphasize the need for further research.
Collections of intestinal parasites from rhino have been made and it was shown that a species of Microfilaria is associated with the sores commonly found on the chest and flanks of rhino.
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