Skull abnormalities in the Waterbuck Kobus Ellipsiprymnus Defassa (Ruppel 1935) in the Rift Valley Lake Systems of Kenya

Abstract

7 Skulls of the waterbuck (kobus ellipsiprynnus defassa) three lake systems of the central Kenyan Rift Valley (viz. tfakuru, Elementaita and Naivasha) were examined for abnormalities, as a result of chronic signs of ill health, in some of the animals in the region. The waterbuck were culled randomly and weighed. Several parameters were measured. A post mortem examination was carried out on each of the animals culled. Bone samples were stripped off all tissue by boiling. The skulls were weighed and examined for any abnormalities. The teeth were used for eing the animals. mean age of the waterbuck was 5.1±1.7 years. 67% of animals in poor body condition showed skeletal abnormalities including pathological eruption and growth wear of teeth. The teeth had black stains along the gual and buccal surfaces but no evidence of fluorosis. abnormalities observed in the skulls could be used to mineral imbalances in some of the areas in the Kenyan Rift Valley region. Abnormal eruption of this could in turn play a role in poor feeding of the affected also thus contributing to poor health.