Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of some diseases in domestic livestock in two protected areas in Saudi Arabia where gazelles have been reintroduced. King Khalid Wildlife Research Centre (KKWRC) was established in 1986 to breed and undertake scientific research on Saudi wildlife for reintroduction purposes. Mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella) were reintroduced to the Ibex Reserve 150 km south of Riyadh in central Saudi Arabia, which supports viable population of wild ibex. Sand gazelles (Gazella marica), Mountain gazelles and Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) were reintroduced to Uruq Bani Ma’arid (UBM) Reserve in the Al Rub al Khali desert. Domestic livestock (camels, sheep and goats) owned by local people use the Reserves and the area surrounding for grazing and there is contact between these animals and reintroduced wildlife. Two surveys have been carried out at each Reserve. Serum samples collected from 1012 camel, sheep and goats were screened for some viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases that are of particular concern in Saudi Arabia. The results show the presence of antibodies against tuberculosis, brucellosis, bluetongue virus, akabane virus, contagious pustular dermatitis and toxoplasmosis. The Suadi Wildlife Authority (SWA) coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and established monitoring and remedial programmes to control diseases reported in the present study. The epidemiological significance, of the study, to wildlife was discussed.

Key words: Domestic livestock, serosurvaillence, Ibex Reserve, Uruq Bani Ma’arid, Saudi Arabia