A preliminary disease survey in the wild Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) population in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

A preliminary disease survey of wild Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, found no visible signs of illness or Mycoplasma crocodyli antibodies in 144 examined individuals. While Hepatozoon pettiti was detected in 55.3% of blood smears, no significant hematological differences were observed between infected and uninfected crocodiles, suggesting a common but non-pathogenic prevalence. Only 7.6% of crocodiles showed leech infestation. The study highlights the need for further research to clarify the role of wild crocodilians as potential reservoirs of infection.

Leslie, A. J., Lovely, C. J., & Pittman, J. M. (2011). A preliminary disease survey in the wild Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) population in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 82(3), 155–159. https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v82i3.54