Vol. 3, Issue 6, Part A (2018)

Author(s): Hakoueu Nzakou Blandine Flora, Nsadzetsen Gilbert, Mbiba Hassan Fanadzenyuy, Wirndzerem Fadila Ntanyuy, Isabelle Leinyuy Wankui, Munji Victorine Nsongka and Bayemi Pougueu Henri Dieudonné

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the rate of foetal losses at the Bamenda city slaughter house, Cameroon. Data was collected for a period of 3 months (July to September 2017) for cattle slaughtered at slaughter house. The results showed that more males (1340) were slaughtered than (460) female cattle representing 73.3% and 26.4% for males and females respectively. A total of 157 cows were pregnant giving a foetal incidence rate of 34.3%. The percentages of foetuses wasted for the three trimesters (3 months or 3 trimester) were 24.83%, 50.83% and 24.37% for first, second and third trimester respectively. The mean age of the pregnant females slaughtered was 7 years and the percentages of slaughtered pregnant cows were 30.8%, 45.5% and 23.7% for cows aged 3-5 years, 6-8 years and ≥9 years respectively. Results also showed that, more male foetuses were wasted compared to the female foetuses representing 51.6% and 48.4% for males and females respectively accounting for economic losses of $86,600 (43 300 000 francs CFA) for the period of the study. The high incidence of calf wastage and slaughter of under aged animals at Bamenda city Abattoir within the study period inflicted high economic losses. This is due to the fact that, laws prohibiting the slaughter of pregnant and under age cows are not existing. Livestock farmers, traders and butchers should be enlightened on the consequences of slaughtering pregnant and under age animals.