.JPG)
Sabine Hilsberg†, Pete Morkel*, Markus Borner‡.† Head of Research, Frankfurt Zoo, Germany. *Rhino Coordinator, Frankfurt Zoological Society, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. ‡ Head of Africa Department, Frankfurt Zoological Society, Seronera, Tanzania.
Between May 2000 and January 2001, 5 of 18 black rhinos, 800 of 5000 buffalo, 30 of 60 lions, 1 of 3 cheetahs, 200 gnus and a few zebras died. The death of one female black rhino translocated from South Africa was attributed to an accident with an elephant. Her calf was killed by lions. Mortality of the other three black rhino individuals was linked to a tick-borne disease caused by two new species of Babesia. This disease was probably fatal in rhinos only because of nutritional- and other stress. The cause of death in the 30 lions was not identified definitively, but probably resulted from an interaction of several factors, including heavy ectoparasite burdens, high levels of blood parasites and stress. The deaths of 800 buffalo were associated with tick-borne diseases concomittant with massive tick infestations, severe malnutrition and heavy tooth-wear from old grass.
The question arose how this tick infestation and tick-borne disease could have spread in the Crater with such high mortality. The recent results of the investigations by experts from different disciplines are presented here.
