Using qualitative risk assessment to re-evaluate the veterinary fence paradigm within the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area Laura E. Rosen, Shirley J. Atkinson, Nlingisisi D. Babayani, Mokganedi Mokopasetso, Mary-Louise Penrith, et al. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2026 Introduction Habitat connectivity in southern Africa’s Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA, or KAZA) is hindered by the presence of veterinary fences put in place to prevent transboundary animal disease transmission. In northern Botswana’s Ngamiland, much of the fencing infrastructure is in disrepair due to ineffective maintenance in the face of increased elephant damage, but specific sections of some fences still restrict critical wildlife movements. Methods We undertook qualitative risk assessments for sections of the Northern Buffalo fence near the Okavango Delta and the Zambezi Border and Western Border fences along the Botswana-Namibia borders. We assessed multiple risk pathways for three main transboundary animal diseases (foot and mouth disease, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and peste des petits ruminants) under three different scenarios: (1) the status quo (fences as they currently are), (2) with hypothetical removal of specific fence sections, and (3) with hypothetical removal of fence sections with risk mitigation measures instituted. Results Our study found that hypothetical removal of these fence sections did not increase the risk of the transboundary animal diseases of interest, and that with the institution of specific risk mitigation measures (such as strategic livestock herding), the overall risk of some diseases would be lower compared to the status quo. Each pathway contained critical steps with low, very low or negligible risk which influenced the overall risk for the pathway. Discussion Based on low estimated risks, sections of all three fences could be considered for removal, but further information was needed for the Western Border fence. Key stakeholders established consensus to move forward with consultations with local communities and to offer assistance with the implementation of risk mitigation measures (such as improved herding, kraaling) conditionally associated with potential removal of key fence sections. Opening the fences in key low-risk areas would restore connectivity for elephants and other wildlife and potentially reduce human-wildlife conflict in areas where high densities of elephants are constrained by fences. This new, more sectorally integrative approach to livestock disease control is vital to wildlife’s ability to access key resources over space and time and thus to the sustained success of KAZA.
A qualitative risk assessment indicates moderate risk of foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in cattle in the lower Okavango Delta because of interaction with buffaloes Nlingisisi Dombole Babayani, Odireleng Idy Thololwane Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2022 Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was first documented in domestic stock in Botswana in the early 1930s and since then the country opted for eradication of FMD from all her livestock-rearing areas. A multipronged control strategy was adopted along the pathway towards eradication, that initially included strategic apthisation of cloven-hooved domestic stock up to 1964, movement restriction through cordon fences and quarantine system from the 1950s, and vaccination using readily available commercial vaccines from the mid-1960s, to date. This has resulted in 78% of the country's land area being officially declared and recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as FMD free without vaccination. However, the disease has remained endemic in the northern parts of the country, owing largely to co-existence of livestock and wildlife. We applied a qualitative risk analysis method in our study to assess the risk of FMD outbreak in zone 2 because of interaction between cattle and buffalo across a man-made physical barrier, southern buffalo fence, in the north of the country. The assessed risk was rated 'moderate' with moderate level of uncertainty, meaning assessment of mitigation options should be done before authorising import of cattle and cattle product from zone 2. Because of cost escalation associated with FMD controls, particularly zoning with cordon fences in the face of relentless trampling by elephants, we concluded that there is a need to revise the national goal of country-wide eradication of FMD in livestock rearing areas to a more achievable outcome for zone 2. We recommend adoption of husbandry management practices and marketing approaches that recognizes co-existence of cattle and wildlife in zone 2 as an exception to the rest of the country. Such an approach should be rooted not on geographic occurrence of FMD nor separation of the two species but on food product safety guarantees along the value chain, and we believe this to be critical for sustainability of FMD management and livelihoods in zone 2. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Predictive Analytics of Cattle Host and Environmental and Micro-Climate Factors for Tick Distribution and Abundance at the Livestock–Wildlife Interface in the Lower Okavango Delta of Botswana Nlingisisi D. Babayani, Anastacia Makati Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2021 Tick distribution and abundance is influenced by several factors that include micro-climate and environmental and host factors. Contextual understanding of the role played by these factors is critical to guide control measures. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of these factors for changes in tick distribution and abundance at the livestock–wildlife interface of the lower Okavango Delta. A two-stage quota sampling design was adopted to select 30 clusters of seven cattle each for tick investigation. Tick investigation was done by lifting the tail to count the total number of ticks at the anno-vulva region during the four meteorological seasons of the year. Additional data were collected on ear tag number, location of origin, sex, age, body condition score (BCS), season of the year, stocking density, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values of source terrain. A random effects model was used to evaluate predictive value of the above for tick abundance. Additional mapping of tick distribution pattern in the abattoir catchment area was conducted using spatial autocorrelation and hot-spot analysis. Tick intensity of infection increased linearly from males to females (Z = 3.84, p < 0.001), decreased linearly from lower to higher BCS (Z = −4.11, p < 0.001), and increased linearly from cold-dry through dry to wet seasons (Z = 10.19, p < 0.001). Significant clustering of neighboring crushes on account of tick count was noted in the late-hot-dry season, with high tick count in crushes located along the seasonal flood plains and low tick counts in those located in the dry grasslands. It was concluded from this study that cattle tick abundance is influenced largely by season of the year and that the micro-climatic conditions brought about by the seasonal flooding of the delta have a decided effect on tick distribution during the driest of the seasons. Our study has, for the first time, profiled drivers of tick distribution and population growth in this unique ecosystem. This has the potential to benefit human and veterinary public health in the area through implementation of sustainable tick control strategies that are not heavily reliant on acaricides.
Geo-information technology application based animal health management decision support system development 2021 Ist Africa Conference Ist Africa 2021, 2021
Rumen impaction in cattle associated with ingestion of the pupal cocoons of Gonometa spp. in Botswana Nlingisisi D. Babayani, John F. Nyange Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 2019 Mortality in cattle associated with ingestion of cocoons (matlhoa in Setswana) of both Gonometa postica and Gonometa rufobrunnea is rare and has only previously been reported in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. A case history of gradual weight loss, bloat, dyschezia with dry faeces and laboured gait, resulting in sudden death after drinking water and associated with ingestion of pupal cocoons of Gonometa spp., was reported by keepers at Mmaditau crush in Botswana in 2013. The crush was a shared holding in a communal area with 15 registered animal keepers. The objective of this study was to profile the history, clinical signs, post-mortem findings, morbidity and mortality from the outbreak using the descriptive study method. Altogether, 81 cattle out of a total of 507 died of impaction from August to December 2013. On autopsy, a loosely connected mass of ingesta, intertwined in ropy silky strands, was observed. It was concluded that there is no readily accessible and available form of treatment at crush level, leaving only evasive husbandry practices as the feasible option. To aid evasive husbandry management practices, temporal and spatial monitoring of population dynamics of Gonometa spp. is recommended, particularly during a drought spell when animals are prone to develop pica, as the basis for an early warning system to farmers.
