Foot & Mouth Disease CAPS looks at the effect the foot and mouth crisis had on zoos and circuses. Foot and mouth is a highly infectious viral disease. Seven different types have been identified and it is extremely resilient. The virus can survive for some time outside its hosts, be carried on their breath and so on. Consequently, when it arrives it is capable of spreading very quickly. However, although it is a remarkable virus, the impact of the disease is primarily economic. Infected livestock becomes less productive, has lower milk yields and puts on less weight. In many countries, foot and mouth disease (FMD) is endemic and as a result they are unable to export livestock to disease-free countries. It was this, coupled with long term reduced productivity, that the government was purporting to avoid as it began to slaughter and burn tens of thousands of animals this year. Many zoo and circus animals can contract or carry the disease. Thus, with the entire reason for the government's brutal culling campaign being to restore Britain's disease free status, it is vital that FMD does not infect these animals.
The potential for zoo animals to harbour the virus was highlighted last year, by a horrific journey endured by 22 giraffes and 3 white rhinos. The animals had been taken from the wild at a game reserve in South Africa and sold to zoos in Madrid, Alicante and Santander (at £1,200 per giraffe and £75,000 per rhino). They sailed up Africa's west coast to Valencia, but were refused entry to Spain, because they had previously driven through KwaZulu Natal where there was an FMD outbreak. So, they went to Malta to be transferred to another boat, sailed through the Mediterranean and Suez Canal, down the east coast of Africa, to be unloaded for a 500 mile road trip back to the reserve they began life at. Forty days at sea and the collapse of a £251,400 deal. So, as the UK's FMD epidemic unfolded in February, Government officials began discussions with zoo authorities about restrictions. The virus can be carried on clothing, hair, footwear and even in the nasal passages of visitors. Even when the zoos were closed, there was still a risk. The virus can be windborne, carried in by staff, or by wild birds and mammals. Animals including antelope, elephants, tapir, giraffe, llama are all susceptible. The potential for these attractions, with their throughput of visitors from all over the country to contract the virus is high. Ministry of Agriculture guidelines for zoos include: 'Contact between visitors and animals could occur if animals have access to public paths, e.g. animals used to give rides, displays or shows, crossing paths between enclosures. Animals in "kids corners" etc where there is intimate contact. Stop all contact between public and stock. Stop rides, shows, displays or any other events involving direct contact with animals.' Alton Towers took no chances, simply killing every animal in its 'petting zoo', so that it could carry on business as usual. For some it appeared to be business as usual. CAPS heard from a visitor to Paradise Park, Broxbourne zoo, who claimed to have seen a young camel arrive there in a circus trailer bearing the name 'The Great British Circus'. The camel was swapped for a larger male camel. A member of the Federation of Zoos apparently exchanging a camel with a travelling circus! Initially, several zoos and safari parks appeared to be staying closed. Although, whilst Whipsnade Animal Park was closed to the public because of FMD the Aldenham Harriers held their hunt ball there with about 400 people attending! But, as the time approached when zoos would actually be turning away trade, resolve appeared to dissolve. So CAPS made one day visits to some zoos to see what precautions were being taken.
FMD meant that there were hardly any animal circuses on the road in the UK this summer. Circus King toured without any animals at all. Hopefully if they have had a hassle free and productive year, they may think twice about using animals in future. The Great British Circus had said that they wished to use big cats and reindeer in their circus this year, but because of the outbreak they reduced the number of animals they used. Although a young leopard was used for media photo shoots in Essex. Bobby Roberts began his tour without his elephants, but included them in his performances near Rhyl in August. FMD has not gone away, and may even get worse during the winter. Questions are being asked in the livestock industry about the husbandry and unnecessary movement of animals. But what of those in entertainment: The huge number of zoo animal collections and the vast diversity of species involved; and the circus menageries that by their very nature move location every week? HOW YOU CAN HELP
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