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Abstract

Catalase activity in liver of Kafue lechwe inhabiting the Kafue flats was measured. Research has shown that the Kafue flats have been exposed to heavy metals and pesticides posing a potential destruction to the inhabitants of the area. Studies on catalase activity in fish from the Kafue river have shown the potential of catalase activity as a biomarker of oxidative damage. However it is unclear how these findings apply on land and semi-aquatic Kafue lechwe within the flats. This study investigated the catalase activity in livers of Kafue lechwe in two game management areas (GMAs) within the flats. The mean catalase activity for Blue Lagoon and Lochnivar GMAs was 6.60 and 7.60 (K) respectively. Lochnivar showed a slightly higher mean level of activity although not significantly different from Blue lagoon (P = 0.36). The Pearson's correlation, showed no association between age and activity (P = 0.37). There were no differences in activity between the sexes (P = 0.17). The activity levels were comparable to those determined in fish from the Kafue river suggesting that the Kafue lechwe could be exposed to similar pollutants in the environment and that catalase activity in Kafue lechwe could be a potential biomarker.