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| Buhsman children, South Africa
© Mark Håkansson/Survival |
A group of internationally renowned veterinary experts have today
dismissed as spurious' the Botswana government's given reason for the
closure of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen's reserve.
The government claims it has closed the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
(CKGR) due to an outbreak of the disease sarcoptic mange in the
Bushmen's goats. But in a letter published today in the Botswana
newspaper Mmegi, the veterinary scientists claim, This disease, while
potentially serious in some populations, can be very easily treated in
domestic animals with modern drugs.'
Adequate control of infectious diseases in livestock is critically
important, but measures should be proportionate and removing the
animals from the park cannot be justified on grounds of disease control
in this case.'
The group includes Professor Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior, and Ivan
Horak, Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Tropical Diseases at
Onderstepoort University, South Africa.
The Bushman organization First People of the Kalahari said in a press
release on Tuesday, The government of Botswana is seriously evicting
and fighting the Bushmen of the CKGR. Police and members of the armed
forces are all over the CKGR, and are harassing and threatening the
people.'
There are reports today that police have shot one Bushman in the hand.
Photos and footage available. For more information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
To read the veterinary experts' letter, click here
