Comparative Analysis Of The Effects Of Indiscriminate Wastes Disposal On Ruminants Slaughtered In Gwagwalada And Minna Abattoirs, In Nigeria

Indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes does not only pollute the environment, but also have adverse effects on the health of ruminants which serve as sources of disease to their consumers. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the method of waste disposal and also investigate the prevalence of foreign bodies in the stomach of ruminants slaughtered in Gwagwalada and Minna abattoir, with the view to providing information on the conditions of the meat people consumed. Methodology: The study employed the use of questionnaire to elicit information on waste disposal practices and Physical examination of the contents of the ruminants' stomach. The abattoirs were visited for six days, all the animals slaughtered during these days were considered for this study. The identified foreign bodies were sorted, weighted and computed in percentages. Findings: Findings showed that the waste composition includes food remains and agricultural waste amount (23%), papers and cartons (24.4%),tins and cans (9.3%), bottles/glasses (7.6%), plastics and polythene (15.8%), while metals/iron and others accounted for 5.7% and 14.2% respectively. These wastes are mostly openly disposed-off and rarely evacuated. Investigations also revealed that contents in the stomach of the ruminants showed the presence of foreign bodies though not in all the animals, these include undigested Plants/seeds, pieces of clothes, nylons, plastics substances, stones among others. Recommendation: It is recommended that grazing should either be done on range land or in the bush, and proper wastes disposals should be practiced, above all there is need for public enlightenment campaign to sensitize the people. Further studies on the effects of the foreign bodies on the quality of products from the ruminants is also recommended.