Inanition in a Derby eland due to foreign body abomasitis

An adult Derby eland bull, Taurotragus derbianus (Grey) kept in captivity showed wasting over a period of 3 months. It died from acute inhalation pneumonia while being transported in an immobilized state. Post mortem examination revealed a chronic ulcerative abomasitis. Histopathologically it was established that the abomasitis resulted from penetration of the mucosa by awns of plant material.