The current status of research on diseases of wildlife in South Africa and south west Africa/Namibia.
This paper contains a review of the formal research being done on the diseases and parasitic infestations of wild animals by universities and the state as well as other institutions in this part of the African continent. It is clear that most information obtained in this research is of an epidemiological or ecological nature and that ungulates, which form the bulk of the game-farming industry, are receiving the most attention. An analysis of the 20 most important diseases, which cover 6 disciplines, revealed that most of the research is being done for the benefit of livestock rather than wildlife. Seventeen of these diseases can be regarded as indigenous and 3 as being exotic to this part of Africa. Arguments are provided in favour of the concept that our game is genetically endowed, by virtue of centuries of adaptation, to handle the indigenous diseases, if their resistance is not compromised. None of the indigenous diseases constitute a threat to game populations, and hence no research on them is justified from an economic point of view. What is, however, absolutely essential, is research on game management with particular reference to those ecological factors which enable game on game-fenced farms to lead the sort of lives to which they are adapted. If this approach is not followed, further destruction of the habitat and deterioration of genetic disease resistance seem inevitable.
Bigalke
R D
RD
Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa.
D000820:Animal Diseases; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D009276:Namibia; D012106:Research; D013019:South Africa