Vets fight skin disease in wild animals
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Vets fight skin disease in wild animals

Wild animals graze on fresh grass in Kui Buri national park which is stepping up measures to protect them from Lumpy Skin Disease. DNP
Wild animals graze on fresh grass in Kui Buri national park which is stepping up measures to protect them from Lumpy Skin Disease. DNP

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is taking a proactive approach in the fight against Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in wild animal populations in Kui Buri and Kaeng Krachan national parks.

Veterinarian Pattarapol Maneeorn said teams are on stand-by to treat wild animals suspected of being infected.

According to the vet, treatment of farm livestock has shown that the infected animals have a high chance of survival if they can be rounded up and tested.

Mr Pattarapol said park officials have also been sent to build artificial dry licks with essential minerals to boost local animals' immunity.

Based on footage from surveillance cameras at 12 locations, 66 gaurs and four bulls are suspected of having the disease.

Surveillance is being stepped up at the parks after a dead gaur in Kui Buri national park was confirmed to have been infected.

Mr Pattarapol said although only one case in wild animals has been confirmed since the outbreak was reported several months ago, there are several suspected cases scattered across the national parks.

He said gaur calves are particularly vulnerable and 11 gaurs had been rounded up and had samples sent for lab tests. Two were from Kaeng Krachan national park, six from Khao Phaeng Mai and three from Kui Buri national park.

The results for the Kaeng Krachan and Khao Phaeng Mai gaurs came back negative. At Kui Buri, one gaur tested positive, one tested negative and one result is still pending.

Pichai Watcharawongpaiboon, director of Conservation Area 3, said park authorities are on alert in Kaeng Krachan and Kui Buri.

He said park officials are working hand in hand with livestock officials and local administrative authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi.

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