Survey of Toxic Plants in Livestock at Horro Gudurru Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

The survey was conducted from December 2013 up to April 2014 with the objective of assessing potentially poisonous plants in and around Horro Gudurru Wollega, Western Ethiopia. A total of 354 Volunteer individuals (248 livestock owners, 69 animal health practitioners and 37 traditional healers) were interviewed using separately structured questionnaires. In this study 24 toxic plant species were identified and documented during the period in the study areas. The major problems that expose the livestock to the toxic plants as complained by study participants were predisposing factors like shortage of feed (55.6%) and nutritional deficiency (24.3%). The animals are usually poisoned at the end of rainy season (58.2%) and during the dry season (24%). The most common plant parts that cause toxicosis to the livestock were whole and leaf. Among the toxic plants Medicago burweed (39.9%), Prunus africana (16.9%), Plantago lanceolata (14.1%), Braken fren (10.1%) and Snowdina, polystarch (9.3%) were the most frequently complained toxic plants in the study areas. The majority of the toxic plants that cause toxicosis to the livestock were by single exposure and bovine species were found to be susceptible poisoned animals. The present survey indicates the existence of high toxic plant in the area that needs interventions to reduce livestock exposure and further research to determine the toxicogenic ingredients of the plants.

Keywords: Livestock, Livestock Owners, Toxicosis, Toxic Plants, Western Ethiopia