INTOXICACAO AGUDA PELA SAMAMBAIA (Pteridium aquilinum, L. Kuhn), EM BOVINOS DA RACA ABERDEEN ANGUS (Acute intoxication by bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum, L. Kuhn) In Aberdeen angus breed)

The present paper gives an account of a herd intoxication caused by the ingestion of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum,L. Kuhn) that took place in a farm at the region of Ortigueira, State of Parana. Fourteen Aberdeen Angus bovines died of acute intoxication caused by the ingestion of large amounts of this toxic plant. Overpopulated and low nutrient quality pastured areas induce the large ingestion of bracken fern. Due to these reasons there is an urgent need for adequate solutions aiming to prevent the occurrence of such episodes.