Thymic necrosis in slaughtered Nile crocodiles.

Foci of necrosis with formation of heterophilic granulomas in the medullary region of the thymus were found in apparently normal slaughtered crocodiles from 4 South African crocodile farms. The comparative pathology of these lesions is discussed. From these preliminary results it may be assumed that thymic necrosis occurs commonly in intensively reared slaughter crocodiles. The cause of this condition, however, remains obscure.