Both communities around the MMNR and
scientists/researchers working in the area have highlighted
disease transfer between wildlife and domestic animals
and vice versa as a major issue. Evidence has
shown that disease impacts can be particularly severe on
large carnivores, and canine distemper virus (CDV) is thought
to have caused several fatal epidemics in lions and
canids within the Serengeti National Park. Similarly,
rabies has in the past seriously impacted on the wild dog
population in the wider ecosystem. In both cases,
domestic dogs have been identified as a major source of
disease transmission. In response, the Mara Conservancy
has been supporting the vaccination of dogs in CCTM to
reduce the incidence of both rabies and canine
distemper in domestic dogs around the reserve. Wherever
possible, MMNR management will continue to
support this and other programmes to combat domestic-wild
animal disease transmission in and around the
MMNR (such as MCF, “turning disease”
or rinderpest).
