Estimating dynamic risk factors for pathogen transmission using community-level bird census data at the wildlife/domestic interface

The ecology of host species is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of pathogen transmission and spread in complex multi-host systems. In this article, we use detailed observations of the host community to develop and apply a new approach to mapping temporal variation in risk for avian influenza. Working in an extensive wetland system near Harare, Zimbabwe, we use the overlap in space and time of highly variable bird communities, combined with ecological risk factors, to assess the risk of Avian Influenza viruses (AIV) maintenance and transmission between bird populations. The estimated introduction and maintenance risks associated with waterfowl populations at a given time are then multiplied by the level of interactions with neighboring domestic production systems during the same period. This approach is used to develop hypotheses for the dynamics of the introduction and circulation of AIV strains in waterfowl populations and as a way of understanding the potential role of "bridge" species at the wild/ domestic interface. The novel approach presented here offers a potentially useful way to explore AIV risk, identify which wild bird species may be acting as reservoirs or vectors of pathogens at a local scale, and improve local surveillance. (Résumé d'auteur

Monitoring Birds Through Counting and Ringing Around the Manyame Lakes, Zimbabwe

A Journal Article on monitoring birds through counting and ringing around the manyame lakes, Zimbabwe,Bird counts were carried out at thirty-four study sites within a perimeter of 10 km from the shorelines of the two lakes, while all bird captures were conducted on a few sites along the shorelines of the two lakes. Both counting (22 missions) and capturing (15 missions) produced records of 297 bird species. A total of 2135 birds of 110 species were ringed, with total numbers of ringed birds per mission ranging from 34 (lowest in November 2010) to 294 (November 2008). The most commonly ringed bird species were Red- billed Teal (636), African Jacana (408), White-faced Duck (218), Blacksmith Lapwing (113), Kittlitz’s Plover (84), Wood Sandpiper (53), African Snipe (35), Red-billed Quelea (32), Barn Swallow (31) and Hottentot Teal (29). Most of the waterbird species were captured during the cold/dry to hot/dry seasons (July to November) when water levels on both lakes were low. Ten species of duck, goose and teal captured accounted for 43.3% of all the birds ringed

The Current Conservation Status of the Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus Leadbeateri in Zimbabwe

Proceedings of the 4 th International Hornbill Conference, Mabula Game Lodge, Bela-Bela, South Africa. Naturalists & Nomads, Pretoria.,The Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri, a vulnerable bird species of the eastern part of southern Africa, has declined significantly outside protected areas in Zimbabwe. Major factors contributing to this include competition for space with increasing human population (Mashonaland Plateau in particular), loss of large hollow tree trunks used for nesting, eating of poisoned baits, snaring, and shooting by householders when the birds smash window panes that reflect their images. I categorized group sightings from Zimbabwe into three land-use areas (protected areas, commercial farmland and communal lands), covering the period 1977-2005 and a few earlier sightings. The largest group sizes recorded in the three land-use areas of Zimbabwe were 12, 12 and eight respectively. The Southern Ground Hornbill is now of national concern in Zimbabwe. Although not one of the 44 ‘Specially Protected’ species under the Parks and Wildlife Act, it is one of the 34 non-protected species considered to be ‘Vulnerable’ in some way and that deserve to be monitored. It is one of ten bird species under BirdLife Zimbabwe’s ‘National Special Species Survey Project’, mainly because of its rapidly shrinking distribution range. It also has a positive place, through fear, in Zimbabwe’s African traditions

Black Eagles and hyraxes — the two flagship species in the conservation of wildlife in the Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

The Black Eagle (Aquila verreauxii) in the Matobo National Park is heavily dependent on two hyrax species, which form 98% of the diet. This raptor has been the subject of study in the Matobo Hills for the past 45 years. Its two main prey species, the Yellow-spotted Hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei) and the Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis), have been under study for the past 13 years. There are three categories of land use in the Matobo Hills — national park, commercial farmland and communal land — and therefore varying levels of protection for the raptor and its prey. Local communities within the Matobo Hills depend on the hyrax as their main source of protein. This heavy utilisation has lead to population declines in both the prey (hyrax) and the raptor in some areas. In an effort to reverse or reduce this imbalance, since 1995 wildlife conservation education programmes have been introduced, focusing on 21 schools immediately surrounding the Matobo National Park. This educational programme is aimed at conserving not only the Black Eagle and hyraxes but the whole biodiversity of the hills. Ostrich 2007, 78(2): 381–38

Zimbabwe Field Transect Data 2012 - 2020

Transect counts of birds in farmed and ranched areas during winters 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 & 202

Estimating Dynamic Risk Factors for Pathogen Transmission Using Community-Level Bird Census Data at the Wildlife/Domestic Interface

The ecology of host species is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of pathogen transmission and spread in complex multi-host systems. In this article, we use detailed observations of the host community to develop and apply a new approach to mapping temporal variation in risk for avian influenza. Working in an extensive wetland system near Harare, Zimbabwe, we use the overlap in space and time of highly variable bird communities, combined with ecological risk factors, to assess the risk of Avian Influenza viruses (AIV) maintenance and transmission between bird populations. The estimated introduction and maintenance risks associated with waterfowl populations at a given time are then multiplied by the level of interactions with neighboring domestic production systems during the same period. This approach is used to develop hypotheses for the dynamics of the introduction and circulation of AIV strains in waterfowl populations and as a way of understanding the potential role of “bridge” species at the wild/ domestic interface. The novel approach presented here offers a potentially useful way to explore AIV risk, identify which wild bird species may be acting as reservoirs or vectors of pathogens at a local scale, and improve local surveillance. Key Words: Avian influenza; bridge species; community ecology; risk factor; wild/domestic interfac

Zimbabwe Field Data Master File

The dataset contains the birds recorded during transects winter 2012 and summer 2013. The sites in the Debshan ranched area are labelled D1-D23, and the farmed sites in the resettled area are labelled R1-R22. The raw count data that form the basis of the project are listed in the ‘Birds’ worksheet