A viral disease which affects ruminants. It occurs naturally in Asia, and was introduced to Africa in the 1880s. Immunity can be acquired, provided the animal survives a year.

Rinderpest struck East Africa in 1890, and in two years 95 percent of the buffalo and wildebeest there had died. So began a series of events of such profound ecological importance that the repercussions are still being felt today. [see also under Maasai for the efects on them]

further outbreaks of Rinderpest

further outbreaks of Rinderpest

milder strain of Rinderpest appears, and animals begin to acquire immunity

further outbreaks of Rinderpest. In each case the disease spread from northern Tanzania southward.

no outbreaks detected in wild species

reappeared with heavy mortality

Last year that Rinderpest was detected in wildebeest of the Serengeti, Mara, and Ngorongoro, and 1963 was the last year for buffalo.

At the present time all monitoring has ceased because of lack of funding.

..continued it [Directorship of the Serengeti Research Institute] until 1976.

Eruptions have been recorded in 1917, 1921, 1940 and 1966.

was built with a major grant from the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung, and additional buildings were provided by the Caesar Kleburg Foundation [of Texas A & M University]. Operating costs were provided by the Ford Foundation, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and Tanzania National Parks.

associate at the Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment, University College, London