Marakele National Park steps up precautions amid Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak
Marakele National Park has introduced strict biosecurity measures following reports of a Foot-and-mouth diseaseoutbreak in parts of the Waterberg District.
Park Manager Koketso Kotsoe says vehicles entering and leaving the park are being disinfected to reduce the risk of spreading the highly contagious livestock disease.
“With regards to the foot-and-mouth outbreak within the Waterberg District, we are taking precautionary measures at the park. We’re spraying vehicles coming in and spraying vehicles going out so that we can assist in keeping the disease within the affected area,” Kotsoe said.
He adds that rangers have been deployed along the park’s fence line to monitor and disinfect vehicles travelling on public roads adjacent to the park.
“Even around our fence line on public roads, we have rangers stationed there to spray cars that are driving alongside our fence so that the spread is kept under control. We do this regularly, 24 hours a day, to ensure that all vehicles entering here are sprayed with disinfectant.”
Kotsoe confirmed that no cases have been reported within the park itself.
“We haven’t had any cases within the area of Marakele, but within the Waterberg, there have been areas where outbreaks have been reported.”
The outbreak comes as the park continues to deal with other conservation challenges, including Rhino poaching. Last year, three rhinos were poached despite increased security measures, including ranger patrols, surveillance cameras, and canine units.
Marakele National Park Conservationist Tshifhiwa Mauda says the interventions appear to be effective in deterring poachers.
“Yes, we did last year lose some animals, unfortunately. Only three last year. It is not that bad because we’re not like other places. The interventions we have in place seem to be working because people are scared of coming to Marakele to do poaching,” Mauda said.
Authorities urge livestock owners and the public to remain vigilant, observe quarantine restrictions, and cooperate with veterinary and park officials to help contain the outbreak.
This comes as the country intensifies its fight against FMD after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the outbreak a National Disaster during his State of the Nation Address.
The government received the first batch of one million high-potency FMD vaccines from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina, with an additional five million doses expected this month.
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