wildlife
stress handling and parasite controlParasite control and stress management are the two major issues addressed by Vermate in the management of wildlife.
Wildlife stress is a major concern for wildlife farmers, particularly during the capturing and relocation of animals. These stressful events can lead to significant challenges in animal recovery, including loss of condition and increased mortality rates. Vermate, a product containing humates, helps mitigate these issues by suppressing the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers adrenaline production. As a result, animals remain calm during handling and exhibit less stress-related behavior.
Some game farmers have successfully used Vermate during capture and relocation exercises without needing to dart their animals, significantly reducing the stress experienced by the animals. Vermate is administered in the drinking water, providing a non-invasive method that further minimizes stress.
Additionally, Vermate is highly effective for parasite control in game animals. It offers a non-invasive, non-chemical solution by being added to food or water. Unlike chemical parasite treatments that can reduce food palatability and lead to appetite loss, Vermate enhances food palatability, ensuring animals maintain a healthy appetite while effectively controlling parasites.
Parasite control
Removing animals from their natural habitat and placing them in a controlled environment poses significant challenges for parasite management.
High levels of parasites, often leading to symptoms like diarrhea and poor condition, are commonly observed in animals kept on irrigated pastures, confined feeding areas, and in intensive young animal rearing operations.
Vermate offers a preventative, biological solution to this issue. Utilizing a unique blend of nematophagous fungi and other parasite-consuming organisms, Vermate reduces the risk of parasites developing resistance to treatments.
Stress During Handling, Capturing, and Transportation
Mortality and loss of condition during the capture and relocation of animals are significant challenges in the wildlife industry. Animals unaccustomed to human interaction and handling experience heightened stress, exacerbating these issues. Vermate, containing humates, helps mitigate this stress by suppressing the production of stress hormones, which can otherwise halt metabolic functions and cause the body to shut down. Additionally, humates act as chelating agents, neutralizing metabolic ammonia produced during stress, thereby preventing the onset of acidification due to ammonia poisoning.
Stress also causes the rumen to cease functioning, compromises the immune system, and makes animals more susceptible to lung infections and other health problems. Animals treated with Vermate typically exhibit relaxed behavior during handling and continue feeding throughout relocation. The usual strong ammonia smell in enclosures from animal urine is significantly reduced, indicating normal metabolic function. Vermate is effective in restoring the condition of animals affected by handling stress, but its best use is preventative. Administering a daily maintenance dose ensures optimal health, parasite control, and fertility. A double dose or more is recommended before and after handling to maximize benefits.
Vermate in a Wildebeest Embryo Transplant Project
Vermate was implemented with a Golden Wildebeest embryo transplant project in the Groot Marico area. Prior to starting with Vermate, the success rate with the embryos on the project was 30%.
The average parasite count on the farm was 800-1000. Female animals had poor conception and aborted their foetuses after 3 months of pregnancy.
After starting with Vermate, the parasite counts came down to between 0 and 50 and the success rate with the embryos went up to 100%.