KZN's Rhino facing severe new threat due to Foot and Mouth disease containment regulations

5 August 2021

As the dreaded foot and mouth disease continues to ravage Northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the biodiversity within Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) parks is being placed under severe threat due to stringent containment regulations.

This includes the habitat of critically endangered species such as Rhino, which is being fast eroded by masses of Buffalo.

Traditionally, this has been dealt with by Ezemvelo, either through culling or relocation in a bid to maintain healthy grazing in parks. With foot and mouth regulations in place though, these measures have been prohibited, with all culling operations currently ceased.

Although highly emotive and controversial, EKZNW has for decades been forced to cull species that have flourished beyond the carrying capacity of protected areas.

Investigations by the Democratic Alliance (DA) have now revealed that the Hluhluwe Mfolozi Park (HIP) needs to cull at least 200 buffalo, failing which the habitat of rhino and other grazing animals will be significantly damaged. While relocation is always supported as the first option, restrictions make this impossible.

Meanwhile, communities surrounding the parks are experiencing a significant food security issue as they have traditionally benefited from the meat harvested within the parks.

While regulations are certainly required to stop the spread of the disease, the DA regards EKZNW’s refusal to allow the vitally important culling and distribution of meat - in line with acceptable protocols – as extremely short sighted.

Foot and mouth disease cannot be spread to humans and if processed correctly can help sustain many hundreds of families. The sad reality is that Ezemvelo may be forced to proceed with culling in a bid to save the habitat while the meat is not consumed and instead left to rot in the bush.

The DA will continue to engage Ezemvelo in an attempt to find the optimum answers to this complex environmental issue. This includes supporting the multi-billion Rand private game farm and hunting industry – which has similarly had its operations severely curtailed with only 50kg of processed meat per car being allowed out of quarantine districts.

If solutions are not found soon, KZN’s rhino populations could soon decline further.

Statement issued by Heinz de Boer, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, 5 August 2021