Citation

Schwenk BK, Lechner I, Ross SG, Gascho D, Kneubuehl BP, Glardon M, Stoffel MH. Meat Sci 2015; 113: 35-40.

Affiliation

Division of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland. Electronic address: michael.stoffel@vetsuisse.unibe.ch.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015)

DOI

10.1016/j.meatsci.2015.11.010

PMID

26610289

Abstract

Owing to the demand for genuine mozzarella, some 330 water buffaloes are being slaughtered every year in Switzerland albeit a stunning procedure meeting animal welfare and occupational safety requirements remains to be established. To provide a basis for improvements, we sized anatomical specifics in water buffaloes and cattle and we assessed brain lesions after stunning with captive bolts or handguns by diagnostic imaging. In water buffaloes and cattle, the median distance from the frontal skin surface to the inner bone table was 74.0mm (56.0-100.0mm) vs 36.6mm (29.3-44.3mm) and from skin to the thalamus 144.8mm (117.1-172.0mm) vs 102.0 (101.0-121.0mm), respectively. Consequently, customary captive bolt stunners may be inadequate. Free bullets are potentially suitable for stunning buffaloes but involve occupational safety hazards. The results of the present study shall be used to develop a device allowing effective and safe stunning of water buffaloes.

Language: en