World Science and Research PublishingGlobal Journal of Animal Scientific Research2345-43772320140619Seasonal Variation in One Humped-Camel (Camelusdromedarius) Foetal Wastage at Sokoto Abattoir, Sokoto State, Nigeria249254ENMuhammadAbdullahiMahmudNiger State College of Agriculture, Mokwa, Niger State. drmahmud2@gmail.com201406052014061920140618The slaughter of camels at the Sokoto abattoir was evaluated over one year period from May, 2009-April 2010 with the aim of determining foetal wastage due to slaughter of pregnant camels. The total number of camels slaughtered during the period of study at the Sokoto abattoir was 3366 out of which 1625 were females and 113(7%) of these number were pregnant. In the study the highest wastage was observed in the month of April, followed by March and the least wastage was observed in the month of September and November. In relation to season it was observed that more female camels were slaughtered in the late dry season followed by early rainy season. However, the highest percentage of foetal wastage was in the early rainy season and least in the early dry season. It was observed that of the 113 foetuses, 35(30.97%) were in the first trimester, 52(46.02%) were in the second trimester while 26(23.01%) were in the third trimester. Estimated financial losses over a ten year period through annual slaughter of 113 pregnant camels at Sokoto abattoir was eleven million two hundred thousand naira (N11, 200,000.00). It was concluded that Government intervention in camel marketing remain essential particularly in the enforcement of policies relating to sales of pregnant camel for slaughter. Adequate ante-mortem inspection be intensified, literacy campaigns amongst butchers and farmers on the implication on slaughtering pregnant animals be intensified as effort to improve camel production in Nigeria.
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