Fetal Wastage in Cattle Slaughtered at Gambella Municipality Abattoir, Ethiopia

The slaughter of pregnant animals for meat has been reported in different parts of the world. This practice is becoming a very serious constraint to future livestock populations. Information on the level of fetal wastage in slaughtered cattle in Ethiopia is limited. The study was aimed at evaluation of the incidence of fetal wastage of pregnant cows slaughtered at Gambella Municipality Abattoir, Ethiopia. An active abattoir survey study design was employed. The data on breed, origin and number of the cattle slaughtered at the abattoir were used. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed that there was significant (P<0.05) higher proportion (70.5%) of the slaughtered cattle of Nuer (Abigar) breeds followed by Horro (16.6%). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the rate of fetal wastage among the studied months with the highest value (46.67%) observed in November. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the pregnancy status among the studied trimesters with majority of the fetuses (42.86%) encountered throughout the period under study were in the second trimester. During the study period the fetal wastages for pregnant cows accounts for economic losses of 828,000.00 ETB (25,668.00 USD). There should be legislative reinforcement through sound surveillance in the ruminant production and an integrated strategic planning and decision-making on animal food security in Ethiopia.