malvernmugadzikwa
Nokuthula Dube
An anthrax outbreak in Gonarezhou National Park has killed at least 128 animals, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) has revealed.
In an interview, Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said the animals died within 23 days since the beginning of the outbreak on August 19.
“These include four elephants, 38 kudus and 75 buffaloes, among other animals,” he said. “The anthrax is mainly recorded in the southern part of Gonarezhou, that’s where we are getting some of these cases.”
Mr Farawo warned the public against getting into contact with the carcasses.
“We are encouraging tourists to avoid approaching or touching dead animals. We are burning and burying the carcasses,” he said.
“At the moment, no report has been recorded from livestock, but we continue to monitor the situation closely.”
The Government has since vaccinated at least 80 000 cattle around Gonarezhou National Park.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter