Overview
For over a year it has been observed that
some animals are being infested by ticks to a level raising concern. Some
animals if not spotted early and early treatment instituted death is
inevitable. Kigio W.C. is the home of endangered Rothschild giraffe where it
thrives very well. Severe tick infestation was first noted in elands’ ears.
Later it was noted in few common zebras. This was last year during dry period.
The severely infested ones were either euthanized if spotted late or found
dead. The ones spotted early were treated and recovered. This year as dry
period seem to set in due to long rain failure tick infestation has resurfaced
this time on common zebra. At least one case has been witnessed in month of
July.
Pathology of Tick Infestation
It has been observed that the infested
animals suffer immensely both socially and physiologically. Animals become
isolated from the herds, they become partially blind ramming into objects
resulting in self-inflicted injuries, organ mutilation especially ears,
circling, inco-ordinated movements, loss of balance and gait, listlessness,
frequent head shaking and ear flapping, plunging into gullies/gorges.
The infestation leads to wound myiasis
particularly of the ears. Severely infested individuals are euthanized while
less infested animals are treated but left with deformed organs especially
ears.
Worry/Concern
It is feared that with increased tick
population and as different animal species are infested it will be disastrous
if Rothschild giraffe is infested. Intervention can be put in place to reduce
tick population to tolerable levels
Suggested
measures/Remedies
1.The conservancy to construct a
dip and establish/introduce a herd of cattle. Cattle will help to collect ticks
as they graze within the conservancy after which they will be dipped in plunge
dip. With effective dipping regime tick population will be controlled in a
repetitive manner probably weekly.
2. Alternatively community around
the conservancy could be allowed to graze in the Conservancy. This must run
concurrently with effective dipping regime within the community or otherwise
the conservancy to have its own dip in which community cattle will be dipped.
3. Burning is another way but with
unpredictable rainfall amount and its poor distribution this will affect
pasture regeneration time and thus it is not preferred for the time being.
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