Eddie Koch
Foreign zoos are reluctant to buy lions captured in the Kruger National Park b ecause new research shows eight out of every 10 Kruger lions may be infected w ith the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a viral agent similar in structur e to HIV but not transferable between human and cat species.
Research conducted by biologists and veterinarians on a sample of lions drawn from all regions of the park shows 80% responded positively to tests for FIV. But there is no evidence the virus has caused an outbreak of Faids (Feline Acq uired Immunodeficiency) — the cat world’s equivalent of full-blown Aids — – or any other symptoms of fatal infectious diseases.
A research report published in the Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Researc h shows antibodies indicating the presence of FIV — or a virus closely rela ted to that which afflicts domestic cats — were found in the vast majority of male and female lions that were captured, sedated and tested during the two -year study.
A comparative survey on a sample of lions from the Etosha National Park in Nam ibia found no evidence of FIV. However, epidemiological studies have establish ed that 57% of lions sampled in European zoos and 73% of Asian lions at the Li ncoln Park Zoo in Chicago also have the disease.
Although there is little evidence FIV in lions causes any serious pathologica l consequences, some zoos in North America say they will not buy lions from Kr uger because it is unlikely they will pass obligatory Faids tests with a clean bill of health. The disease does not, however, affect the park’s ability to s
ell wild lions to other game reserves in South Africa as FIV is not listed as a ”notifia ble disease”.
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