Conservation of White Rhinoceroses Threatened by Bovine Tuberculosis, South Africa, 2016–2017

Abstract

During 2016–2017, when Kruger National Park, South Africa, was under quarantine to limit bovine tuberculosis spread, we examined 35 white and 5 black rhinoceroses for infection. We found 6 infected white rhinoceroses during times of nutritional stress. Further research on Mycobacterium bovis pathogenesis in white rhinoceroses is needed.

Wild Animal Tuberculosis: Stakeholder Value Systems and Management of Disease

“…Among the many wildlife species affected the buffalo is considered to be the principal maintenance reservoir of infection, although kudu also appear to maintain the infection (132–134). By 1995, the disease had spread northwards from the southern part of the Kruger and since then has affected many different animal species including lion ( Panthera leo ), cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus ), kudu, leopard ( Panthera pardus ), chacma baboon ( Papio ursinus ) (135–137), black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis ) (138, 139) and white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum ) (140). There was also evidence of spillover to neighboring livestock (141).…”

“…There are many recorded examples of tuberculosis in rhinoceros housed in zoos going back over 100 years yet in that time there have been relatively few advances in development of sensitive diagnostic tests other than relying on observation and clinical symptoms (139). The finding in the Kruger National Park of an infected free-ranging black rhinoceros (138) and in the white rhinoceros (140), species recognized as critically endangered and near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has serious implications for the conservation measures for rhinoceroses, and movement out of the Park for breeding and conservation reasons.…”

Review of Diagnostic Tests for Detection of Mycobacterium bovis Infection in South African Wildlife

“…The Elephant TB STAT-PAK® and DPP VetTB® assays have also been shown to distinguish between M. bovis -infected and -unexposed African lion populations ( 68 , 69 , 72 ). These species-non-specific rapid tests have also been useful for identifying M. bovis -infected white and black rhinoceros, and a cheetah ( 26 , 34 , 66 ). Sensitivity of serological tests varies between species, although providing a useful tool for retrospective surveys ( 68 , 85 ).…”

Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Free-Ranging African Elephants

“…Kruger National Park (KNP) in South Africa has recorded M. bovis infection in >20 wildlife species and is considered a bovine TB−endemic area. Although cases of M. bovis infection have been reported in other large herbivores, such as black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis ) and white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum ) ( 5 , 6 ), only 1 case of M. tuberculosis infection has been found in an elephant in KNP ( 3 ), despite hundreds of individual animals examined during 1967–1994 when elephants were harvested ( 7 ). After the discovery of an M. tuberculosis –infected adult bull elephant in 2016 ( 3 ), opportunistic sampling of elephants was implemented by park veterinarians.…”

“…However, no additional samples were available to confirm infection in the individual elephants studied. It is more likely that these seropositive responses in elephants represent infection with M. bovis because all the cases of TB in rhinoceros to date have been due to M. bovis infection ( 5 , 6 ). Isolation and speciation of pathogenic mycobacteria are essential for understanding the epidemiology of these infections, especially in areas where human–livestock–wildlife interfaces occur.…”