African buffalo spotted in Omaheke

WINDHOEK, 08 MAY  – The sighting of an African buffalo in the Omaheke Region has impelled the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to send out an urgent notification, restricting the movement of animals and animal products in the restricted areas.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services received a report of the buffalo on 07 May this year.
“All areas, farms and neighbouring farm units in Eiseb, Otjinene, Rietfontein and Epukiro are hereby declared as restricted areas where cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and any cloven animal and their products may not be moved into and out with immediate effect,” reads the notification, dated 07 May 2018.
A team of veterinary and wildlife officials have been deployed to these areas to track down the buffalo with the purpose of terminating it.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Milton Maseke stated in the announcement that intensified disease surveillance activities in vulnerable livestock populations by veterinary officials have commenced in accordance with existing protocols.
The notice also informs members of the public that the issued veterinary movement permits originating from the restricted areas have been cancelled and the ministry has set up road blocks at strategic points to ensure compliance with the applied measures.
However, the movement of processed products is allowed into and out of the restricted areas.
“Movement of all processed ready to eat products such as sour milk, dry slated biltong, cheese, butter, yoghurt and other ready to eat products is allowed into and out of the restricted areas,” said Maseke.
The measures have been implemented in line with the provisions of the Namibian Animal Health Act 1 of 2011, which forbids African buffalo outside national parks.

NAMPA