13 buffaloes call Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve home
The buffaloes were relocated from Entabeni Legend Wildlife and Culture Centre last Friday
LIMPOPO – Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve is currently 13 buffaloes richer.
12 buffaloes and one buffalo calve were transported to the nature reserve from the Entabeni Legend Wildlife and Culture Centre last Friday as part of a project by the Department of Environment and Tourism (Ledet).
According to Dr Erika Klemp, State Veterinarian, all the surrounding game reserves where full so they decided to relocate these animals to the Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve.
Before these animals could be darted and transported, Klemp and two other veterinarians, Gerhard Klopper and Deon de Villiers, had to make sure the animals were free from diseases which could negatively affect the other animals and that they will arrive at their new home safely.
They tested the buffaloes a week before they were to be transported for foot-and-mouth disease, tuberculosis, brucellosis and corridor disease with all receiving clean results.
Klemp also had to register the animals at the nature reserve before they could be relocated.
She added a further 60 buffaloes are planned to be relocated to the nature reserve in the future.
A number of excited foreign student veterinarians also helped to make sure these animals’ health conditions were perfect as part of their practical study to become veterinarians.
