Anyone have any recent info on the effect rabies have had on kudu in Namibia, particularly south of Windhoek? According to The Gras Ranch, a possible new outbreak has occurred. If such is the case, any suggestions of how to improve my chances of taking a kudu? My hunt takes place in the beginning of March and is my first. I really want a kudu.

Bobby B.

Yet again a rabies outbreak, or at least a possible outbreak. Darn!

I can only suggest that you contact your hunting outfitter as soon as possible and tell him honestly and frankly how much you want a kudu. If he really acts in your best interest he will watch the situation carefully and make alternative arrangements for getting you a kudu if required.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

As with most of the temperate regions of the Earth, rabies is endemic to Namibia. It comes and goes in waves, but is always present.

The dry south of Namibia is a little less subject to rabies epidemics than the more moist north. However, it does occur and can affect herd numbers. There's not much you can do to enhance your chances of getting a kudu other than spend time hunting the right places like the dry river courses. I'm not sure how much rain they have had during this rainy season and you are going rather early in the year, so whether you can actually navigate the river beds themselves may be questionable. Just tell your guides that you really want a kudu and they can take you the places that your chances are best.

One more word of advice, however: Don't spend all of your time concentrating on a kudu if the population is just not there. It would be a shame to overlook the tons of other great game like the two wildebeest varieties, the red hartebeest, oryx, springbock, blesbok, and all of the rest just because you were fixated on a kudu. After all, if you don't get a kudu it will just be a great excuse to go back!

In adition to Stonecreek's advice not to waste the whole trip searching for a kudu (no matter how bad you want him), you'd be in some pretty good company should you be thwarted by "the gray ghost of Africa!"
Try but by all means don't let the search ruin the trip.

Does anyone know why during these outbreaks that the kudu are most effected? It seems we never hear of it running through the other species with the same intensity. In 2000 we had a nice bull come to the water in distress and die in front of us, supposedly rabid. Not a pretty way to go....

There was a rabies outbreak in northern Namibia last year then I was there. I was told by my PH that there is particular bush plant the Kudu favor and rabies is spread by their saliva. I don't recall the name. I was surprised to hear they can go from infected to dead in 48 hours.

Here is an option to consider if you really want a guaranteed shot at a Kudu. Book a two country hunt, Namibia and RSA, that way you will definitely get the exposure you want. One other thing, while in Namibia, be sure to take a BIG gemsbok, as theirs are the biggest you are going to see anywhere. We did the two country hunt in 2007 and will be booking shortly for a similar hunt in 2010. It's just too wonderful of an opportunity to miss, doing both countries.
LLS

quote:

Originally posted by crane:
Does anyone know why during these outbreaks that the kudu are most effected? It seems we never hear of it running through the other species with the same intensity. In 2000 we had a nice bull come to the water in distress and die in front of us, supposedly rabid. Not a pretty way to go....

As a microbiologist (virologist also) I was very amazed by linking rabies with Kudu.
Rabies is transfered by bites from carnivorous or bats.
I couldn't imagine that Kudus could be more bitten than other animals in the wild.
I made some searchs and got the solution.

Kudu is apart in the contamination chain.
A study in Namibia of 37 strains of rabies from Kudu shows that these strains are closely linked to the rabies encoutered in domestic dogs, jackals and bat-eared foxes. They are the origin. That can't explain tremendous outbreak of rabies limited to Kudu.

Studies show that the Kudu accumulates an abnormal huge amount of rabies virus in its saliva. Far more than most of the herbivorous.
Another fact, experimentally Kudus were very easily contamined by depositing a low amount of rabies virus on their lips or noose. Other herbivorous weren't contaminated with so feable a dose and moreover requested a gap in their skin or mucose membrane.

The more valid explanation is that Kudu excrete rabies virus tremendously in their saliva. They feed on thornbush and thorns do scratch their mouth. They deposite saliva on the plants and this way contaminate other Kudus browsing the contaminated plants.
The virus can't survive on the plants more than a couple of hours. Thus a rabies outbreak is possible only if the population of Kudu is very high and browsing the same places.

Very interesting and informative post, JB.

It's often puzzling to me how these pathogens can affect just one species and not others. Your post explains it for kudu.

Last year, while in the Selous, we saw dozens and dozens of bleached wildebeest skeletons everywhere we went.

There was apparently a big die-off the year before last. Only wildebeest were affected. Some kind of virus or other was the culprit, but I don't know which one.

quote:

wildebeest

thanks Mrlexma

Despite my broken English?

You have a point with Wildebeest. Currently wildebeest are affected by foot & mouth disease and rarely by the dreadful anthrax and rinder pest.
All these diseases can be disqualified for they will also strike the other Bovideas (buffalo, antelopes...) An enigma for the moment, it gives me something to munch upon.

Ton anglais est bien, mon ami.

Like Stonecreek said Rabies is endemic to Namibia and most wild areas of Africa.
Sometimes you hear about "New outbreaks" but it's always in the area. Some years an area or ranch will experience a larger die off but it's always present. There's no way to know or predict a year in advance ( Before you book a hunt) if the area your going to hunt will have an increase of Rabies.
If you really want a Kudu make it clear to the outfitter. Most are willing to move to a better area if needed .

Jean- Thank you!