Hematological studies in Indian elephants (Elephas maximus)

Abstract

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is an endangered species, due to habitat loss, human overpopulation and increase in poaching. Therefore, it is most important to study intensively to determine the health status of the individuals. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and interpret hematological reference ranges in the Asian elephants. Blood samples from 10 adult female Indian elephants were analyzed to assess the hematological values. Blood samples were collected from the auricular vein. The Complete Blood Count (CBC) was performed using automatic blood analyzer. The Mean ± SE of Erythrocyte count (RBC), Total Leukocyte count (TLC), Platelets count (PLT), Hemoglobin (Hb) and Hematocrit value (PCV) in the blood of elephants were 2.98 ± 0.10 x 106/µL (2.38 – 3.36 x 106/µL), 9.25 ± 1.11 x 103/µL (5.31 - 15.34 x 103/µL), 213.50 ± 23.15 x 103/µL (122 - 346 x 103/µL), 11.94 ± 0.20 g/dl (11.2 – 13.2 g/dl) and 36.02 ± 1.47 % (28.3 – 42.1 %), respectively. The Differential Leukocyte Count i.e. The Mean ± SE of Lymphocyte, Monocyte, Neutrophil, Eosinophil and Basophil count were 3.33 ± 0.64 x 103/µL (0.477 – 6.585 x 103/µL), 0.81 ± 0.30 x 103/µL (0.274 – 3.427 x 103/µL), 3.75 ± 0.67 x 103/µL (1.309 – 6.801 x 103/µL), 1.33 ± 0.33 x 103/µL (0.187 – 3.835 x 103/µL) and 0.02 ± 0.00 x 103/µL (0.001 – 0.044 x 103/µL), respectively. The results were compared with other adult female Indian elephants; there were no significant differences nearly in all hematological values. Most of the findings of blood analysis are closely similar with the normal values. Therefore, all adult female Indian Elephants seem to be normal and healthy in the present study. The findings suggest that hematological reference ranges are appropriate for assessing the health status of the domestic elephants.