ASPECTS OF RABIES INFECTION AND CONTROL IN THE CONSERVATION OF THE AFRICAN WILD DOG (LYCAON-PICTUS) IN THE SERENGETI REGION, TANZANIA

Lycaon pictus is amongst the most endangered wildlife species in Afric a, In 1990 rabies virus was isolated from the brain of an adult Lycaon found dead in the Serengeti region of Tanzania. One adult and six pup s of the same pack feeding on the carcass showed clinical signs and ra bies was suspected; within two days they had disappeared and are presu med to have died. Subsequently, two Lycaon packs in the Serengeti Nati onal Park were given inactivated rabies vaccine either by dart or by p arenteral inoculation following anaesthesia, Lycaon sera which had bee n collected over the previous two years and sera collected pre- and po st-vaccination were examined for the presence of rabies virus neutrali zing antibody. Three of 12 unvaccinated Lycaon had antibody levels > 0 ,5 IU/ml; post-vaccination samples from two Lycaon showed increased an tibody levels. Between four and ten months post-vaccination, at least four of the vaccinated animals, had died from unknown causes. Issues r elating to wildlife vaccination and veterinary intervention in conserv ation are discussed.