SEROLOGIC SURVEY OF SELECTED CANINE PATHOGENS AMONG FREE-RANGING JACKALS IN KENYA

Serum samples from 76 free-ranging adult jackals of three species from four localities in Kenya were examined for circulating antibodies aga inst four canine pathogens: rabies virus, canine parvovirus (CPV-2), c anine distemper virus (CDV), and Ehrlichia can is. Samples were collec ted between April 1987 and January 1988. Among black-backed jackals (C anis mesomelas), the most sampled species, the mean prevalence of anti bodies to CPV-2, CDV, rabies virus, and E. canis was 34% (14 positive/ 55 sampled), 9% (4/55), 3% (1/28), and 2% (1/36), respectively. There were no significant differences among sampling locations. In one area, antibody prevalence of CPV-2 was significantly higher for golden jack als (C. aureus; 9/16) than for C. mesomelas (5/26). Only three side-st riped jackals (C. adustus) were sampled, but antibodies to CPV-2 and C DV were present. As jackals often are the most abundant wild carnivore in African ecosystems, they could serve as an important indicator spe cies to monitor the potential of exposure of rare and endangered canid s to specific canine diseases.