TSETSE AND LIVESTOCK IN CENTRAL-AFRICAN-R EPUBLIC - A RETREAT OF GLOSSINA-MORSITANS SUBMORSITANS

In the early 1960s, the most part of the Central African Republic was located inside the distribution area of Glossina morsitans submorsitan s Newst. Since the last distribution studies of this tsetse in CAR (in 1963), the number of cattle has increased from 400,000 to approximate ly two millions, mainly of the Mbororo zebu breed. To set up the prese nt distribution of G. m. submorsitans a study by trapping has been car ried out in 27 livestock areas, regarding about 1,200 pastoralists' se ttlements. Furthermore, north-south transects have been made using bot h trapping (with bipyramidal traps laid every 2,000 meters) and net-ca tching (within a car driving slowly). The result have shown the disapp earance of G. m. submorsitans from the main livestock areas in the wes t (Bouar, Bozoum, Bocaranga, Batangafo, Bossangoa, Paoua), centre (Bos sembele, Bouca, Dekoa) and east (Bambari, Grimari, Ippy). The southern border of the distribution area has been moved upwards to the north b y up to 400 kilometres in the west of the country. This important retr eat is discussed. It leads to a huge increase in the pastures availabl e for the Mbororo pastoralists. Their access is still restricted in th e centre-north and in the east by wild game reserves where G. m. submo rsitans remains.