HEALTH EVALUATION OF BLACK-FACED IMPALA (AEPYCEROS-MELAMPUS-PETERSI) USING BLOOD-CHEMISTRY AND SEROLOGY

As part of ongoing ecological studies of black-faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) in northern Namibia, blood samples were collected a nd analyzed from 26 animals captured for translocation in 1992. All an imals appeared to be in good condition and no abnormality was noted du ring physical examination. Serum chemistry and mineral levels were mea sured and correlated with the results of bacterial and viral serology and were within the normal ranges for domestic ruminants. Antibody tit ers for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhea we re detected. Serological tests for bluetongue, foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, parainfluenza 3, brucellosis, leptospirosis, and anaplasm osis were negative. Significant differences in disease prevalence were not found between sexes.