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.

As South African National Parks (SANParks) confirmed that foot and mouth disease (FMD) has probably spread beyond the Addo Elephant National Park’s kudu herds, neighbouring landowners are fuming at the park’s lack of communication about the disease and have questioned the measures officials have put in place.

At the same time, the park is at risk of losing its spot at a major fundraising event – the annual game auction at the Kirkwood Wildsfees – due to the recent outbreak and the lengthy quarantine periods usually enforced on FMD cases.

The animal disease has become a growing concern in the Eastern Cape in recent months, particularly after outbreaks were reported in several locations across Nelson Mandela Bay.

Suspicions that FMD was present among the antelope in the Eastern Cape national park, which borders the metro, first surfaced early in August when guests noticed kudus exhibiting symptoms, particularly lameness in their hind legs.

At the time, park officials confirmed that they were aware of cases of lameness among the kudu herds at Addo, but said test results came back negative for FMD. They said they would continue to monitor the animals and investigate the cause.

At the same time, due to the spread of FMD outside the park, officials decided to implement biosecurity measures, including spraying vehicles entering the park, in an effort to “safeguard its wildlife and ecological integrity”.

However, in a statement last week, SANParks head of communication JP Louw said a second set of samples collected from kudus in the park confirmed the presence of FMD.

“The Department of Agriculture was notified after SANParks’ wildlife health surveillance detected an increase in lameness among kudu. Although the initial tests were negative, follow-up investigation and testing confirmed FMD in kudu within the park.

“SANParks is working closely with the Department of Agriculture and other relevant stakeholders to assess the extent of the occurrences, monitor animal health and implement appropriate disease-management measures. Any future animal movement of susceptible animals will be subject to veterinary risk assessment, statutory requirements and formal approval.”

Louw added that normal park and tourism operations would not be affected.

Earlier this week, SANParks veterinarian Dr David Zimmerman confirmed that between 5% and 10% of Addo’s kudu population was probably infected, the majority of them being older bulls and cows.

He added that additional species, such as red hartebeest and eland, had also shown clinical signs.

“Park authorities are continuing to monitor susceptible species for clinical signs, particularly lameness associated with lesions. As FMD generally has a low mortality rate in wildlife, management efforts focus on surveillance and understanding the disease’s progression within free-ranging populations.