Fatal parasitosis in blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra): a possible factor risk in hunting units

In February 2012, a reproductive group of 60 adult blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra) from Veracruz, Mexico was relocated to hunting units in eastern and northeastern Mexico. Seven individuals died due to hemorrhagic parasitic, abomasitis and enteritis caused by Haemonchus spp., Setaria spp., and Trichostrongylids. Deaths were associated with hepatic necrosis, bilateral congestive distention of heart and fibrinonecrotic bronchopneumonia. Also Anaplasma marginale was identified. The blackbucks' population displayed a general mortality rate of 11.67%, where 25% of total male and 9.62% of total female died. The mortality was controlled by segregation of all remaining blackbucks and the treatment for internal and external parasites (biting flies and ticks). After the treatment, no fatality cases related to parasitosis were recorded. The results presented here exhibit the high relevance of parasitosis as possible factor risk in the survival of tis specie.