Clinical Pathology and Morphometrics of African Fish Eagles in Uganda

Abstract

Packed cell volumes (PCVs) and plasma chemistry parameters were measured in 15 adult and 18 nestling African fish eagles (Haliaeetus vocifer) sampled from June 2002 through January 2003 in Uganda. Morphologic measurements were obtained from 15 adult eagles. All eagles were examined for blood parasites and sexed by examination of DNA from red blood cells. Ten adults and eight nestlings were sampled from Lake Mburo and five adults and 10 nestlings were sampled from Lake Victoria near Entebbe, Uganda. Analysis of variance was conducted to assess the association between site, age, sex, and plasma chemistry parameters and the association between sex and morphologic characteristics. Plasma chemistry values for nestling and adult African fish eagles were similar to those reported for other captive and free-ranging eagle species. Packed cell volumes for nestling African fish eagles were markedly lower than values reported for nestlings of other eagle species, although the mean estimated age of nestlings sampled also was lower. A significant association (P < or =0.05) was found between PCV of nestling eagles and study site (lower at Lake Mburo) but no association was found between PCV and nestling body weight (P> or =0.05). An unidentified Plasmodium sp. was present in erythrocytes of three nestlings from Lake Mburo. No other blood parasites were seen. There was significant variation (P< or =0.05) in PCV, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, cholesterol concentrations, and creatine kinase activity between adults and nestlings; all were lower in adults. Aspartate transaminase activity was higher in adults. Like other Haliaeetus sp., body weight, bill depth, culmen length, footpad length, and hallux length as well as bill depth measurements were significantly (P < or = 0.05) greater for females than males. The objective of the study was to provide baseline biologic and physiologic information that may prove useful in the management and study of captive and wild populations of African fish eagles.

Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Kampala (Uganda) Drinking Water

“…Bakyaita, 2010). Lead and Hg have been detected in African fish eagles, Marabou storks and Nile perch (Hollamby et al, 2004;Ogwok, Muyonga & Sserunjogi, 2009). Further, high levels of Pb and Cd have been reported in milk from farms in Wakiso district (Nyakairu, Muhwezi & Biryomumaisho, 2011).…”

Mercury and Persistent Organic Pollutant Concentrations in African Fish Eagles, Marabou Storks, and Nile Tilapia in Uganda

“…Time of sampling to separation of red blood cells from plasma and subsequent storage in liquid nitrogen was 3.5 hr (range 2-9 hr) for eagles and 8 hr (range 4-16 hr) for marabou storks. Samples were centrifuged for 10 min (Vulcon Mobilespin PS126-6, Vulcon Technologies, Grandview, Missouri, USA) and plasma was removed and frozen as described previously (Hollamby et al, 2004). Plasma samples were transported to the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health (DCPAH) at Michigan State University's Veterinary Medical Center (East Lansing, Michigan, USA) and stored at Ϫ80 C until analyzed within 2 mo of sampling for all avian samples.…”

“…The study sites and techniques for collection of samples have been described elsewhere (Hollamby et al, 2004). Thirty-three eagles were sampled, including 10 adults and eight nestlings from Lake Mburo and five adults and 10 nestlings from Lake Victoria.…”

LIPID BLOOD PROFILE IN CAPTIVE BRAHMINY KITE (HALIASTUR INDUS) AS A POSSIBLE INDICATION OF INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ATHEROSCLEROSIS

“…In this regard, it is interesting to note that average cholesterol levels recorded in wild nestlings African fish eagles, a species preying mostly on fish, were 2.12 g/L, considerably lower than in handraised Brahminy kites in this study. 11 Triglycerides levels in Brahminy kites were higher than in other birds of prey species. Phospholipids levels tended to be higher than in other species.…”