Aggressive sexual behavior of a dromedary bull causing sudden death in a male calf-camel

摘要

Behavioral accidents affecting animals have been emphasized in previous studies. This article describes a case of aggressive sexual behavior by a dromedary bull against a male calf-camel which was suffocated to death. A 5-month-old male calf-camel (Camelus dromedarius) found dead with no clinical history, weighing approximately 90 kg, and was referred. Detailed history delineated that the animal was kept in a group pen with 7 camels of the same sex but different ages including 3 adult (weighing approximately 600 kg with heights of 1.8-2 m) and 4 calves. The death occurred on 5 December 2017, winter, at 8:00 in the morning. Complete gross necropsy was carried out at approximately 30 to 60 minutes after death. At necropsy and histopathology, no evidence of inflammatory, noninflammatory, infectious, and traumatic lesions was found. Based on the clinical and paraclinical examinations and necropsic and histopathologic findings of the calf, harassment from adult male dromedarian camel was suspected. Videotape recording confirmed the death of calf caused by aggressive sexual behavior of a male dromedarian camel. During the sexual aggression when the calf was in sternal position, the bull sat on the calf in a way that pressed the calf upper-body and head into the floor and therefore the calf was suffocated to death. Suffocation caused generalized hypoxia which consequently led to death in just a couple of minutes. Therefore, probable risk factors should be considered, and sufficient care should be provided for calves raised under intensive management systems. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.