Baseline Hematologic Results for Free-ranging White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Complete blood counts (n = 115) and red blood cell analytes (n = 80) were assessed in free-ranging white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) from Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. Blood was collected from healthy animals immobilized between February and September 2009-11 for management purposes. Our objectives were to establish baselines for KNP's white rhinoceros population and to compare results based on sex and age group. Significant differences in total white blood cells, total eosinophils, and hemoglobin were found between adult and subadult rhinoceros. Female rhinoceros had significantly higher total white blood cells and lower hemoglobin compared with males. Hematologic analytes were similar to those published for other rhinoceros populations, although the impact of capture and sampling methods, nutritional status, and habitat should be considered when comparing data. This baseline hematology for healthy free-ranging white rhinoceros in KNP may be useful in assessing health status for translocation and medical interventions, including treatment of poaching cases.
1  Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research/Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, PO Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.
Michele
M
Miller
2  Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, Private Bag X402, Skukuza, 1350, South Africa.
Peter
P
Buss
3  Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Rachel
R
Wanty
1  Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research/Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, PO Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.
Sven
S
Parsons
1  Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research/Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, PO Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.
Paul
P
van Helden
3  Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Francisco
F
Olea-Popelka
D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary*; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010527:Perissodactyla / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D013019:South Africa
D006454:Hemoglobins
Ceratotherium simum; complete blood count (CBC); hematology; white rhinoceros