Wildlife Tuberculosis Study Group

Since several wildlife species have been diagnosed with BTB and clinical signs differ between these species, only clinical signs for those more likely to be observed are listed below.

• Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
  • Weight loss
  • Coughing
  • Hair loss
  • Lethargy
• Lion (Panthera leo)
  • Emaciation
  • Swelling of joints (elbow , knee, hip)
  • Lameness
  • Poor skin condition
  • Lethargy
• Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
  • Swelling of head lymph nodes
  • Draining fistulas from lymph nodes
  • Weight loss
  • Lethargy
• Warthog (Phacocoerus africanus)
  • Weight loss
  • Coughing
  • Lethargy

Other species showing poor condition and abnormal behaviour have also been submitted for necropsies and several were positive for bovine tuberculosis including leopard, hyena, cheetah, baboon and honey badger. Eland, impala and large spotted genet in private reserves and farms neighbouring KNP have also been diagnosed with BTB.