"Introduction of Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Infected Buffalo into the Save Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe: Success or Failure?"

Chris Foggin and G. Connear

A total of 618 buffalo (Syncerus caffer), known to be carrying foot-and-mouth disease and originating from the west and southern regions of Zimbabwe, were released into the Save Valley Conservancy in the south-east region of Zimbabwe between 1995 and 2002. This Conservancy consists of 24 different titles deeds with multiple ownership. It is 3420 km2 in area and is stocked with numerous other species of wildlife. On veterinary instructions to facilitate the buffalo release, all livestock was removed, and a double, electrified fence was constructed around the 312 km perimeter of the Conservancy: the inner fence being 1.2 m high with 6 strands and the outer fence 1.8 m high with 12 to 14 strands. Despite careful fence maintenance, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease occurred in cattle adjacent to the Conservancy within two years of the initial release. Subsequent to that, a further four outbreaks of the disease have occurred within 10 km of the outside of the perimeter fence, though not all of them appear to have originated within the Conservancy. Ongoing sero-surveys of wildlife indicate that foot-and-mouth disease virus circulates widely in eight species of antelope, and especially greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), which have shown 34% sero-prevalence. Since the year 2000, the continuing land crisis in Zimbabwe has further facilitated spread of this disease with some 22% of the Conservancy being occupied against the owners’ wishes, resulting in the destruction of 80 km of the perimeter fence. There are presently over 5000 cattle within the Conservancy and many wildlife animals have been illegally killed. It is concluded that, to date, this buffalo introduction has had more failures than successes.