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From George Maponga in Masvingo
Government has started vaccinating more than 18 000 cattle belonging to families relocated from Tokwe-Mukosi dam basin to avert an outbreak of foot and mouth at Chingwizi holding camp in Mwenezi. This follows an outbreak of lumpy skin disease a fortnight ago which claimed hundreds of cattle.
Masvingo provincial administrator and Tokwe-Mukosi relocation co-ordinating committee chairman Mr Felix Chikovo yesterday said Government had enough doses for vaccination.
“A team of veterinary department officials has from today (yesterday) descended at Chingwizi to start vaccination of cattle because we want to make sure the cattle are not in danger. We are happy the vaccine doses we have will cover the existing cattle population,’’ he said.
Mr Chikovo said there was a buffer zone which protected cattle at Chingwizi from lions and leopards from surrounding conservancies.
“Cattle ranching had been taking place in the Nuanetsi ranch before and the Zimbabwe Bio Energy has a very huge beef herd near Chingwizi and this shows that cattle rearing can thrive in the area,” he said.
Mr Chikovo said the relocation committee required more trucks to relocate livestock from Gunikuni in Masvingo South.
Online Reporter