Wildlife
Wildlife conservation through the surveillance, prevention, and treatment of disease is a core objective of the HALI Project.
Male impala in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Since 2006, HALI has been collecting and testing samples from wildlife for the presence of zoonotic diseases, diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. HALI is collecting tissue and blood samples in collaboration with established hunting organizations using the wildllife management area bordering Ruaha National Park. We also collect samples from wildlife opportunistically found dead. The HALI Project has trained and employed local hunting guides to collect samples in the study area and permission to collect samples has been granted by the village association (MBOMIPA; see 2006 GLCRSP Annual Report). HALI will also be sampling live buffalo in the wildlife management area bordering the park. From this work we hope to determine to what extent bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis are present in the wildlife of Ruaha, including which species are infected, and over how wide of a geographic area. No animals are harmed by HALI team members in wildlife sampling activities.
Through PREDICT, part of USAID’s new Emerging Pandemic Threats program, HALI is expanding wildlife sampling activities from Ruaha to other areas of Tanzania, to develop a wildlife disease surveillance system focusing on areas considered “high risk” for diseases that can move between wildlife and people.
People
Critical to the HALI Project’s objectives are improved livelihoods for the pastoral communities bordering the Ruaha National Park and Pawaga-Idodi Wildlife Management Area.
HALI Project extern, Flora Nyato interviews a Maasai man at his home. (Photo by M. Nguvava)
Sustainable management of the Ruaha Landscape involves meeting economic, ecological and social objectives of different stakeholders at different scales of planning (from local to national). It also requires balancing the diverse needs of people, livestock and wildlife. While this may be possible on some occasions, these objectives can be in conflict.
In order to improve livelihoods in the area, HALI set out first to understand it. HALI team members Dr. Jon Erickson and Dr. Michel Masozera of the University of Vermont used an integrated sociological approach incorporating household and district surveys, household diaries, and focus groups. Through these methods, combined with data regarding disease and livestock losses, HALI was able to better understand the impact of disease and water scarcity not only on the health, but also on the economic livelihoods of pastoralist communities.
Livestock
The HALI Project is engaged in the surveillance and prevention of zoonotic diseases in livestock in the pastoral communities of the Pawaga and Idodi Divisions of Iringa District, Tanzania.
HALI Coordinator, Dr. Harrison Sadiki with Mama Joshua at her home near Tungamalenga village. (Photo by D. Wolking)
HALI team members are collecting and testing livestock for the presence of zoonotic diseases. In collaboration with local slaughterhouses/slabs, traders and pastoralist groups, HALI collects tissue and blood from slaughtered cattle and small ruminants, and milk and blood and feces from live cattle, sheep and goats. These samples are cultured for bovine tuberculosis (BTB), brucellosis, leptosporosis, and toxoplasmosis, while fecal samples from adult and neonatal livestock are examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The majority of disease testing is done by SUA in order to continue building the University’s capacity as a leading diagnostic lab in Tanzania and to ensure that results are obtained in a timely fashion for the most rapid analysis and dissemination to stakeholders.
Second, HALI team members have been gathering information to determine if there are common characteristics of cattle, or households, that may put them at greater risk for disease. The HALI team talks to each household about preventing disease transmission from livestock to people. HALI is using this data to assess which households or practices may be associated with a higher risk of disease in both livestock and people.
Water
Water is a critical link between wildlife, livestock, and human livelihoods in the Ruaha Ecosystem. Water stress due to a diminishing water supply, especially in the dry seasons, concentrates wildlife, livestock, and humans into close proximity, potentially increasing the threat of zoonotic disease transmission. The HALI Project recognizes the critical impact of water quality on health, and has developed an integrated water program to improve water quality and disease surveillance.
A Maasai child draws water from the same pond being used by livestock. (Photo by J. Brownlie)
HALI team is sampling water in the Ruaha area to detect zoonotic bacterial and protozoal pathogens, and to assess whether or not pathogen presence differs for sites used by a combination of wildlife, livestock and/or people. Water sites are located along the Great Ruaha River and its major tributaries and vary in their degree of utilization by wildlife, livestock and people.
At each water quality measures are collected and water is collected for bacterial analysis. Fresh fecal samples within 50 m of the water are being collected for bacterial culture and parasite detection. Scat and other sign of animal presence (tracks, scrapes, and visual observation) are being recorded and used to identify what species are frequenting the area. Human utilization of the area is also assessed. This methodology allow the HALI team to determine what species are utilizing the sampling sites; what fecal pathogens are being shed by species near the water and whether or not those pathogens are present in the water itself; and pathogen presence relative to the overall quality of the water.
I greatly recognise Your efforts in preventings and treating animals both wild and domestic ones.Animals are part of human life,the issue of ecosystem and ecology touches the aspects of both..environment and animals including human beings.
My opinion is that:it is better if you widen your project scope by considering seriously the issue of enviromental protection and management because treating animals without serious measures and assessment of the environment will make your task more difficult.
Sometimes animals are exposed to diseases due to the demages of ESA-environmental Sensitive areas like water sources,exposure to harmful chemicals spread due to human activies and the like.
Expansion:i dont see if you have branches in vast regions,may be it is due to Financial problems as well as technical if not professional,my advice is that if you spread your services in areas like mara,shinyanga,kagera,singida,morogoro,Tanga and manyara i am sure you will be liked by pastorals whose herds are perishing of diseases.Try to write the ministry concern,give them your plans,objectives and how they can be achieved,you can use politicians to push the issue forward then you can get a huge support financially and open branches in vast areas,then you will uplift community developmen by reducing death of cattles,the community will love you and this Organization can then be a National charter in animal caring.
Things are done-a step at a time.U are good playerz in pushing up achievement for MKUKUTA 1 and 2.your goals and objectives are lined with MDGs -millenium dev.goals,so if u make a good proposal it is obvious that the WB,IMF,NSSF can give you grants.
I can visit you and share ideas, so long i’m in Iringa-a student at Tumaini. GOOD JOB.