Gov’t kills 120 invading buffaloes
Mompati Tlhankane | Monday October 30, 2023 06:00
He also said some buffaloes were killed after separating from the main herd, which made it difficult to capture them. The minister said 56 buffaloes have been captured and relocated to the Chobe National Park. “A total of 51 buffalo carcasses were found in the bushes assumedly after succumbing to thirst and malnutrition,” he further revealed. Molao also indicated that the last buffaloes were removed on October 8, 2023. Giving a background on the buffaloes invasion, Molao said on September 9, 2023, an estimated herd of 150-200 buffaloes were reported in disease control Zones 3c and 6a. He said analysis of the situation indicate that the buffalo likely originate from Hwange National Park (in Zimbabwe) and had traversed through Zone 3b after gaining access through breeches caused by elephants on the cordon fences.
He pointed out that emergency response was launched in accordance with the standard operation procedure (SOP) for management of buffaloes incursions in FMD free areas and included suspension of livestock movement, removal of the buffaloes, and disease surveillance. “Movement of cloven hoofed animals in Zones 3b, 3c, and adjacent 6a and zones of 5 and 8 has been suspended except for direct slaughter in order to facilitate disease surveillance. The Department of Veterinary Services is collaborating with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), the Botswana Police Services (BPS) and the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) to remove the buffaloes from the 3 zones. Due to the large number of animals, it was decided to relocate the buffalo to the Chobe National Park. Both ground teams and aerial (helicopter) teams have been deployed,” he said. However, Molao said the search continues to verify that there are no buffaloes hiding in the bushes. “Disease surveillance has commenced including ante-mortem inspections at abattoirs and health inspections of at risk cattle herds. So far the disease has not been detected in livestock,” he said.
Speaking of disease among livestock, Molao also disclosed that following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the disease control zone 6b in the North East District, government approved the strategy to eradicate the disease by depopulation of cattle and restocking the affected area, which is made up of the villages including Ramokgwebana, Jackalas 1, Mosetse, Tsamaya, Mowana, Siviya, Senyawe, Mabuzane, and Jackalas 2. “World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) approved the Containment Zone (CZ) made up of the above villages in February 2023, which heralded the depopulation exercise. The endorsement of the CZ by the WOAH means that the southern part of Zone 6b made of Matsiloje, Matshelagabedi and Matopi villages are effectively FMD free zones and movement restriction were lifted allowing farmers to trade with their livestock. However, direct slaughter only to facilitate disease surveillance at abattoirs is allowed,” he emphasised.
The Shashe West legislator said all but a few stray cattle in the CZ have been slaughtered at the Maun BMC abattoir and the majority of farmers (1148/1149 farmers) have received their cash compensation. “BMC is also in the process of paying the farmers for the cattle slaughtered at the Maun abattoir. After all the stray cattle have been removed and disease surveillance is completed to demonstrate that the disease has been indeed eradicated, an application will be made to the World WOAH to restore the FMD free without vaccination status of Zone 6b. The restocking of cattle exercise will commence after Zone 6b FMD free status is restored,” Molao further announced.
He said in order to ensure the disease does not recur, the Botswana-Zimbabwe border cordon fence from Tuli circle to Vakaranga is being rehabilitated. “So far the over 200km of the fence has been upgraded and about 133 km has been repaired. The fence is also being strengthened with steel cable to withstand damage by elephants. The Botswana government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Zimbabwe to cooperate on control of animal diseases including joint vaccinations of FMD in border areas,” Molao concluded.