Movement patterns of nilgai antelope in South Texas: Implications for cattle fever tick management

Publication date: 1 October 2017 Source:Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Volume 146 Author(s): Aaron M. Foley, John A. Goolsby, Alfonso Ortega-S., J. Alfonso Ortega-S., A. Pérez de León, Nirbhay K. Singh, Andy Schwartz, Dee Ellis, David G. Hewitt, Tyler A. Campbell Wildlife, both native and introduced, can harbor and spread diseases of importance to the livestock industry. Describing movement patterns of such wildlife is essential to formulate effective disease management strategies. Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) are a free-ranging, introduced ungulate in southern Texas known to carry cattle fever ticks (CFT, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, R. (B.) annulatus). CFT are the vector for the etiological agent of bovine babesiosis, a lethal disease causing high mortality in susceptible Bos taurus populations and severely affecting the beef cattle industry. Efforts to eradicate CFT from the United States have been successful. However, a permanent quarantine area is maintained between Texas and Mexico to check its entry from infested areas of neighboring Mexico states on wildlife and stray cattle. In recent years, there has been an increase in CFT infestations outside of the permanent quarantine area in Texas. Nilgai are of interest in understanding how CFT may be spread through the landscape. Thirty nilgai of both sexes were captured and fitted with satellite radio collars in South Texas to gain information about movement patterns, response to disturban...
Source: Preventive Veterinary Medicine - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research