Microbiological conditions of meats from large game animals and birds

Large game animals and birds used for the commercial production of meat include deer of various species, wild boar and feral pigs, ostriches, emus and rheas, crocodiles and alligators, bison, and kangaroos. Meat from feral pigs and kangaroos is obtained from wild animals only, but much or most meat from the other game animals or birds is obtained from farmed animals. The microbiological conditions of meats from hunted animals can be compromised by poor placement of shots, the usual evisceration and sometimes further dressing of carcass in the field, and ageing of carcasses at ambient temperatures. However, the general microbiological conditions of carcasses from farmed game animals or birds slaughtered and dressed at suitable abattoirs can be comparable with or better than the microbiological conditions of carcasses from domestic animals or birds. The incidences of enteric pathogens on meat from wild or farmed game animals or birds can be less than those for meat from intensively reared domestic animals, but infection of some game meats with Trichinella or other foodborne parasites may occur.