Anthrax Cause of Death in Grevy's Zebra of Samburu Heartland

On December 7th, over the course of one week, the African Wildlife Foundation's Grevy's zebra research team discovered eight dead adult Grevy's zebra. These zebras were found in the Ngaroni area of northern Kenya, a place with a high concentration of Grevy's zebra population.

Since it is very unusual for this species to die in large numbers, AWF immediately informed the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters and local wardens, and the local administration and engaged the services of a veterinarian. Dr. Frederick Maloba of National Museums of Kenya (NMK) traveled with AWF's Dr. Paul Muoria to the field to investigate the possible cause(s) of the deaths, the extent of the problem, and recommended mitigation measures.

Because of the numbers of animals dying within a short timeframe and the fact that a few of the discovered carcasses indicated that blood had oozed from body orifices before death - a characteristic of anthrax - the doctors and other researchers suspected anthrax as the cause of death. Samples were taken and brought to Nairobi for analysis. Preliminary analysis indicated today that the animals indeed died of anthrax. The samples were taken from a donkey and two Grevy's zebras.

AWF and other key stakeholders have already worked quickly to alert the community to be vigilant in their contact with livestock and to report deaths so sampling can be conducted and appropriate measures taken to ensure that the carcass doesn't further spread disease.

Anthrax: Now What?

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by spore-forming bacteria and most commonly occurs in wild and domestic vertebrates (sheep, goats, camels, antelopes and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to an infected animal or tissue. Containing the spread of anthrax is critical to the continued health and survival of the area's people and wildlife.

AWF and other key stakeholders are working tirelessly to alert the community to the presence of anthrax and to engage their help in containing the spread of the disease by reporting deaths and by minimizing contact with animals that may have contracted the disease.

Meanwhile, AWF and other parties are initiating a number of other key steps. These include:

Continuously monitoring the situation, taking blood and tissue samples of any other animals that die;

Vaccinating Grevy's zebras and livestock in the area with the Blanthrax vaccine;

Treating sick animals with relevant antibiotics;

Placing livestock in quarantine;

Pouring paraffin over dead animals to prevent predators from predating on them;

Burying carcasses;

Treating any people who have come in contact with the carcasses with antibiotics.

The Future of Grevy's Zebra

Grevy's zebra, named after Jules Grevy, a nineteenth century French president who received one from Abyssinia as a gift, are the largest, wildest and most untamable of the three zebra species remaining in Africa. In recent years, Grevy's zebras have suffered one of the most substantial reductions or range of any African mammal, leading them to be classified as endangered. The population of this mammal has declined drastically - from an estimated 15,000 in the 1970s to an estimated 2,000 to 2,500, restricted to Ethiopia and northern Kenya.

Lions, cheetah, and hyenas are the main natural predators of Grevy's zebra. But, humans have played a huge role in the decline of this population. Hunting (for hide and meat), competition with livestock for water and habitat loss (from both the destruction of habitat from overgrazing by livestock and habitat conversion for agriculture) have all contributed to the decline of Grevy's zebra. And, as feared, disease may now also play a role in the demise of these great creatures.

In order to protect the Grevy's zebra from continued decline, AWF is devising strategies to secure the Grevy's migration corridors, dispersal areas, and critical habitats. Because the largest remaining population of Grevy's zebras is located with the Samburu Heartland, AWF is taking significant action, under the leadership of Dr. Paul Muoria, to research this endangered animal and help ensure its survival. With this case of anthrax, Dr. Muoria and his colleagues hope to incorporate further learning about wildlife disease into their research and conservation efforts.

Confirmation of anthrax has been communicated to relevant government authorities and local communities who will institute measures to alleviate immediate adverse effects. AWF will facilitate this process in consultation with these key partners.