HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF FREE-RANGING ANACONDAS (EUNECTES MURINUS) IN VENEZUELA

The health status of 24 free-ranging anacondas (Eunectes murinus) was evaluated as part of an investigation of their ecology and conservatio n in the Venezuelan Ilanos (seasonally flooded savanna). Evaluations i ncluded physical examination and blood sampling for biomedical analyse s. Tests performed included complete blood counts, biochemical profile s, vitamins A and E and mineral analyses, screening for chlorinated pe sticides and polychlorinated biphenyls, and parasite identification. S tatistically significant differences (P < 0.05) for biomedical measure ments were determined by t-tests. Female anacondas were significantly heavier and longer and were more likely to have been injured than were males. Females also had significantly lower packed cell volumes and h igher heterophil and lower lymphocyte counts. Male anacondas had signi ficantly higher alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and amylase values a nd higher gamma-tocopherol and copper levels. Anaconda zinc levels wer e elevated (13.8 +/- 2.5 ppm) as compared with normal values for mamma ls and birds. Other mineral values were within expected ranges. Injure d anacondas had significantly higher heterophil counts and lower potas sium and uric acid levels than did uninjured snakes. Blood samples col lected from anacondas within 1 day of capture had significantly higher azurophil and lower lymphocyte counts and lower chloride values than did samples collected 2-10 days after capture. Blood samples processed within 12 hr of collection had significantly higher glucose, total CO 2, total bilirubin, and iron values and lower lactate dehydrogenase va lues than samples processed after storage on ice in a cooler or refrig erated for 1-2 days before processing. No toxins were identified. Para sites identified included the tick Amblyomma dissimile, tapeworm Crepi dobothrium sp., subcutaneous nematode Dracunculus sp., an unidentified trematode, and an intraerythrocytic protozoal parasite, Hemoproteus s p.