DISEASE DISASTER: Angry neighbours, game sales in jeopardy as Addo’s foot-and-mouth disease crisis deepens
Neighbours say SANParks has not been playing open cards about foot and mouth disease in the Addo Elephant National Park, increasing the risk of the infection spreading, while quarantine protocols will probably affect a major income generator for the park in the coming months.
Neighbourhoods surrounding the Addo Elephant National Park are increasingly upset with the South African National Parks (SANParks) for their lack of transparency regarding the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis. The disease has potentially spread beyond the park's kudu herds, raising concerns about the infection's spread and the severity of the situation.
Neighbours have accused SANParks of withholding crucial information about the disease, which may have contributed to residents' suspicions and escalating tensions.
Even more worrying is the potential impact on the park's revenue, as the annual game auction at Kirkwood Wilds fees may be jeopardized due to the FMD outbreak and the subsequent quarantine measures. These strict protocols are expected to affect the income generated from the park's tourism activities in the coming months.
The disease has recently become a growing concern across the Eastern Cape, with several locations reporting outbreaks in Nelson Mandela Bay. Early reports of possible FMD in the park's antelope population surfaced in August when visitors noticed kudus exhibiting lameness, particularly in their hind legs. SANParks officials first confirmed their awareness of these lameness cases but later revealed that follow-up tests confirmed the presence of FMD.
To prevent the disease's spread, SANParks has implemented stringent biosecurity measures, including spraying vehicles entering the park. However, the situation took a turn for the worse as a second set of samples collected from kudus in the park confirmed the disease's presence. SANParks is now working closely with the Department of Agriculture to assess the extent of the infection, monitor animal health, and implement appropriate disease-management measures.
Some kudus, red hartebeest, and eland have shown clinical signs of the disease. SANParks veterinarian Dr. David Zimmerman confirmed that between 5% and 10% of the park's kudu population is likely infected, primarily older bulls and cows. The park is closely monitoring susceptible species for clinical signs, particularly lameness associated with lesions. While FMD generally has a low mortality rate in wildlife, affected animals may face an increased risk of predation due to reduced mobility.
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