Foetal Wastage in Camels Slaughtered (Camelus dromidaris) at Maiduguri Abattoir, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The records of slaughtered camels at the Maiduguri abattoir was evaluated over a 10 year period between 2000 and 2009 with the aim of determining foetal wastage due to the slaughter of pregnant camels. Out of the 124,898 camels slaughtered during the study period, 69,603 (55.7%) were females. A total of 2,382 foetuses were recovered which represented a foetal recovery rate of 3.42%. The foetal wastage in deferent seasons of the year, shows that 947 (39.8%) were recovered during rainy season and 1,435 (60.2%) during dry season. Estimated economic loss due to the slaughter of pregnant camels in Maiduguri abattoir stands at N25, 725,600.00 during the period of 10 years. It was concluded that legislative lows against the slaughter of pregnant animals should be enforced. Adequate veterinary ante-mortem inspection, literacy campaign amongst camel’s rearers and butchers should be intensified as an effort to improve camel population in Nigeria.