Nepal's endangered elephants threatened by tuberculosis

Deutsche Presse-Agentur Jul 30, 2007 Kathmandu - Nepal's dwindling population of endangered Asian elephants, already under threat from expanding human settlements, is faced with danger from tuberculosis, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said Monday. The warning came during a workshop on 'Disease Diagnosis and Treatment of Elephants' attended by experts from several national and international organizations working for the protection of the animals. WWF said the elephants in captivity in and around Chitwan National Park, about 120 kilometres south-west of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, were exposed to the possibility of several infectious diseases including tuberculosis. 'A total of 120 elephants have been tested for tuberculosis in Chitwan since 2006,' WWF said. 'As of now, six 'high risk' elephants out of 25 suspected with tuberculosis are being segregated from other elephants for observation.' The workshop also discussed the possibility of the disease spreading to Nepal's small wild elephant population, which could have devastating consequences. To read the full story click on the blog title

Nepal 'apathy' over elephant TB

BBC

June 12, 2007

Nepal's government has been accused of "inaction and apathy" after it emerged that 10 out of 250 endangered elephants are suffering from tuberculosis (TB).

Officials at Chitwan National Park say government ministries have ignored requests for help to give treatment.

They warn there is a danger that TB may spread to humans and other animals.

The park in southern Nepal attracts thousands of tourists every year. The government says that the detection of TB in elephants is a new development.

"It is uncommon," Babu Ram Yadav of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife told the BBC's Sushil Sharma in Kathmandu.

He said that the TB outbreak needed to be taken seriously as the disease could spread to humans and new-born elephants.

But Mr Yadav ruled out government negligence in the upkeep of the elephants as a cause of the disease.

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Rare Nepal elephants have tuberculosis

Reuters

June 12, 2007

KATHMANDU Ten of Nepal's 250 endangered elephants are suffering from tuberculosis in a national park and the disease is threatening to spread to humans and other wildlife, authorities said on Monday.

Chitwan National Park in southern Nepal attracts thousands of tourists every year and has numerous rare wildlife, such as rhinoceroses and tigers.

Park authorities said tests had confirmed at least 10 of 100 domesticated Asian elephants in Chitwan had contracted the disease in the past two years.

"Tests have confirmed that the elephants have tested positive for TB and we are trying to provide treatment," Kamal Gaire, a senior veterinary official, said by phone from Chitwan, 50 miles south of Kathmandu.

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