Thousands of S Cape ostriches to be culled

By Brett Adkins Garden Route Bureau Chief MORE than 3 000 ostriches are being culled on the Garden Route – and more could follow – after a strain of bird flu which was earlier detected in the area was found to have infected birds on another farm near Mossel Bay. The latest cullings are an attempt to ensure the outbreak of bird flu, which was confirmed late last month, is isolated and does not threaten the ostrich industry any further. It is also hoped the culling will prevent the European Union (EU) – which has already slapped a ban on the export of ostrich meat from two districts in the region – from taking drastic action. The latest culling operation follows an extensive surveillance programme carried out by government veterinary authorities after an outbreak of the H5N2 strain of bird flu was detected on a farm north-west of Mossel Bay leading to the culling of 60 ostrich chicks late in June. It had been hoped the outbreak was limited to a single farm. http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/news/n05_20072006.htm