More than 50 per cent of mighty Kruger South lions may be crippled by TB
The prevalence of TB is estimated to be 54 per cent in the southern KNP lion population. Lions can be infected with TB when they eat infected buffaloes and other animals.
SKUKUZA – As many as half of the lions in the southern region of the Kruger National Park (KNP) may be infected with a form of animal tuberculosis (TB), called bovine TB (BTB), according to the latest findings by Stellenbosch University’s (SU) animal TB research group.The prevalence of BTB is estimated to be 54 per cent in the southern KNP lion population. “These test results were made possible due to a new molecular technique that we have developed for detecting infection,” said Ms Tashnica Sylvester, a doctoral student at SU’s faculty of medicine and health sciences.
“With this test we can now accurately distinguish between TB-infected and -uninfected lions.” Her interest in lions and their survival is not merely that of a scientist. “I am in love with lions. They are my favourite animals. There are only about 3 000 wild lions roaming freely in South African parks.“I wanted to contribute to finding out more on a disease which seems to be threatening them as a species,” Sylvester remarked. BTB is a slow-progressing disease. The estimated time from infection to death is between two and five years. “The majority of lions appear healthy. Lions with advanced BTB may show symptoms like swollen joints, slow-healing wounds, poor coat condition, weight loss, coughing and have difficulty breathing,” explained Sylvester.
She was part of the research group that developed a test to diagnose BTB in lions, using a single blood sample. Previously a lion had to be captured twice in three days to perform a TB skin test, but with the new method a lion will only have to be captured once.
“Lions are generally quite healthy and do not show clinical signs of the disease until they are at a very advanced stage. The test we designed can pick up the infection long before the clinical signs show up,” remarked Sylvester.
When vets in the Kruger had to dart a lion for disease surveillance or to remove a collar, Sylvester and her research team tagged along and drew a blood sample.
Lions can be infected with BTB when they eat infected buffaloes and other animals.
“Around 40 per cent of the buffaloes tested in the southern part of the KNP were positive for BTB. Buffaloes are one of the top prey species for lions.
Since buffaloes with BTB may be weaker and lag behind the herd, they may be more susceptible to predation,” concurred Sylvester.
Sylvester explained that there are different test and cull programmes throughout the country where the buffalo testing positive for BTB are culled in an attempt to stop infection of other buffaloes.
“The problem is that buffaloes are not the only prey species that become infected. Kudus and warthogs have also tested positive for BTB,” she said.
A recent study by the animal TB research group also suggests that lions might be able to transmit bacteria between themselves by droplets transmitted through sneezing or coughing.
At present there are no medications available to treat BTB in lions.
The biggest concern is knowing which animals are positive, and keeping them from areas where BTB is not prevalent.
Sylvester and her team did not test any animals from the northern KNP. “We however saw that as we moved more towards the central part of the park there was a decreasing prevalence.”
In 2006 KNP generated approximately R1,5 billion for the region.
Lions are one of the main attractions for visitors and a loss of one of the Big Five could have economic consequences.
Although lions infected with BTB do not pose a direct threat to humans, sick lions may be too weak to hunt their prey and may roam closer to areas inhabited by humans and livestock.
“Increased awareness of TB in wildlife is the first step in addressing the issues associated with this disease,” Sylvester said. “Since BTB affects a wide diversity of species it is crucial to understanding the origin, prevalence and risk factors associated with transmission.”
Kruger Lions and TB
Information and Discussion on the Fauna and Flora of the Kruger Park
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Re: Kruger Lions and TB
How do the buffaloes get the disease?
What is Sanparks doing to limit the spreading of the disease (apart from culling infected buffaloes, which does not seem to be an efficient countermeasure)?
What is Sanparks doing to limit the spreading of the disease (apart from culling infected buffaloes, which does not seem to be an efficient countermeasure)?
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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