Melaku Tefera

This study reports evidence of animal exploitation during the Axumite era based on a survey of architectural features, rock art and artefacts recovered from the archaeological site at Axum, northern Ethiopia. Animals and agricultural tools were identified from materials not previously examined. Pottery, rock art and animal remains revealed a range of zoological species. Agricultural implements and sacrificial vessels also provided indirect evidence of animal exploitation. It is concluded that, in addition to plough-based agriculture, the hunting of large wild animals, such as elephants and lions, and the exploitation of domestic cattle, small ruminants and poultry were part of the Axumite subsistence regime. Although it is difficult to reconstruct an overall subsistence pattern based on this study alone, the physical and biological evidence suggests that the Axumites practised combined cultivation and animal herding. Further investigation is required to study the types and breeds of animals and their distribution in time and space.

The relationship between placental retention, progesterone and pregnancy-specific protein B (bPSPB) was determined in 60 calving Holstein cows. The cows were divided into two groups with placental retention (WPR, n=16) and no placental retention (NPR, n=44). Every 4 days, until 60 days post-partum, blood samples were taken and the uteri were checked using ultrasonography. The puerperal characteristics of NPR and WPR were as follows: mean days of abnormal vaginal discharge: 20.2 ± 5 versus 35.6 ± 7 (P < 0.01); mean intervals to uterine involution: 21.4 ± 3.7 versus 27.6 ± 7.6 days (P < 0.01); rate of endometritis: 25 versus 100 % (P < 0.01). The mean numbers of oestrus cycles per cow were 1.75 ± 0.5 versus 0.85 ± 0.9 (P < 0.05) and the mean durations of the first oestrus cycle were 18 ± 3.5 versus 16 ± 2.1 days (P > 0.05). The mean intervals to first ovulation were 21.5 ± 8.4 versus 35 ± 19 days (P < 0.01). bPSPB blood concentrations were higher in the WPR group at calving with 955 ± 170 versus 750 ± 205 ng/ml (P < 0.01) and also during the first 32 days post-partum with 173.68 ± 47.3 versus 131.0 ± 29.2 ng/ml (P < 0.01). The mean bPSPB half-life was similar in the two groups: 6.9 ± 2.5 versus 6.5 ± 2.1 days (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it was found that placental retention was associated with a higher rate of endometritis, a lower number of cycles, longer interval to first post-partum ovulation and higher concentration of bPSPB at calving and during the post-partum period. The positive relationship between bPSPB concentrations and calf birth weight and their association with post-partum pathological events may be useful in monitoring animals presenting high concentrations at calving.

The aim of the present trial was to test the effects of two treatments in dairy cows, in an attempt to sustain the circulating progesterone levels and hence possibly reduce the embryonic mortality rates. Treatment 1 consisted of a 3000 IU hCG i.m. injection at day 4 (D4) after artificial insemination (AI) and treatment 2 of a GnRH i.m. injection

A study was conducted to describe the physical characteristics and the reproductive performances of the Addis Ababa Zoo lions. Length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, tail length and height at withers were 255 ± 15, 105 ± 11, and 110 ± 7 cm for adult males (n = 8), and 236 ± 11, 94 ± 10, and 98 ± 8 cm for adult females (n = 8), respectively. The lions had dark brown manes extending down the chest through the front legs, down the back below the shoulders and the length of the belly through the groin; the mane that surrounds the face was golden and the eyes have clear light irises. These characteristics fit the description of the Barbary and Cape lions. The reproductive performances of the females were as follows: age at first parturition was 4 ± 0.5 years; litter size was 1.6 ± 0.9; gestation period was 115 ± 5 days; parturition interval was 25 ± 15 months; and pregnancy rate was 30 ± 16%; the duration of estrus was 5 ± 1.5 days. For the male the age at which the mane was fully grown was 3.6 ± 0.7; frequency of copulation was 16.5 ± 7.5 per day; the duration of copulation lasted 12.2 ± 9 s; and the refractory period was 50 ± 25 min. Mean preweaning, weaning to one year and adult mortalities were 55, 51 and 27%, respectively. Mean life expectancy was 12.8 years for the female while for the male it was 8.5 years. The causes of adult mortality appear to be senility, enteritis and pneumonia, while cub mortality is primarily due to maternal rejection. There is also a 100% prevalence rate of Toxocara cati. Further study on the genetics, causes of mortality and reintroduction to natural habitat is recommended.

A study concerning performance traits of the Ethiopian camel indicated that, in the camel herds examined, there was one active bull camel for 25 females. The bull camel was 5 years old at puberty; it reached rutting vigour at the age of 9 years, the number of mountings per day was 8 during the breeding season, and the reproduction span was 10 years. The female camel reached puberty at 4 years of age; the age at first calving was 5 years, and the lactation period was one year; the calving interval was 2 years, the calving rate was 50%, and the reproduction span was 10–15 years. The survival rate of the newborn calves was 50%. The average milk yield was 2.5 L per day; the price of camel's milk was higher than that of cow's milk at US$0.5. Adult camels weighed around 500 kg; the dressing-out percentage was 52%. Mutton was preferred to camel meat, which came second in popularity, costing US$2/kg. Owing to their poor reproductive performance, camels are not efficient for producing meat. The camels worked for 16 h per day, covering 60 km. Animal health problems encountered were trypanosomosis, camel pox, camel pustular dermatitis, camel cephalopsis, dermatomycosis, mange mite, tick infestation and balantidiosis, most of which mainly affected the young animals.

Camels usually inhabit remote areas, where diagnostic facilities and laboratories are very scarce. The species differences between the camel and other domestic animals necessitate some specific examination techniques. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical examination methods and sources of common errors that require special consideration in the camel. Young camels are examined in the standing position, while adults require restraint. Restraining procedures, both standing and in sternal recumbency, are described. New equipment and a crush were designed. The body temperature of the camels examined fluctuated from 35.7 to 38.9°C, being lowest in the morning and highest in the afternoon; high temperature in the morning is indicative of fever, while high afternoon temperatures could be hyperthermia. It was difficult to take the pulse rate for routine procedures. The heart rate ranged from 35 to 50 per min; there was no difference between the heart rate in the morning and in the afternoon. The mean respiratory rate was 11 per min and respiration was of thoracol-lumbar type. The mucous membranes of the eye were an important site for appreciating signs of discoloration, while those of the mouth, rectum and vagina were unsuitable. The left flank was the best site for determining the rate of rumen contractions, which was 3±1.2 every 5 min, as determined by auscultation; counting the contractions by the application of the fist was difficult. The palpable external lymph nodes were the parotid, maxillary, prescapular, inferior cervical, thoracic, cubital, ilial and popiteal; they are large and can be seen on inspection in healthy animals, so that was not indicative of disease. A list of diagnostic indicators for the rapid diagnosis of ten endemic camel diseases was generated from the empirical signs.