Wolves in Tsitsikama left starving amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Restrictions placed on the movement of cattle due to the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the Eastern Cape are hurting wolves in Tsitsikamma, as they depend on meat donations for food.

Twenty-four wolves are under the care of the Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary, a non-profit organisation that has become a haven for abandoned and abused wolves.

The sanctuary has now lost its meat supply and relies on donations to buy meat for the wolves.

Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary Manager Robin McDonald says the organisation needs donations to keep the wolves fed.

“We are in a very densely populated farming area. Unfortunately, restrictions have been put in place to curb the spread,” said McDonald, adding that while the foot-and-mouth disease is not bad for the wolves, the sanctuary has restricted the movement of wolves in nearby areas to stop the spread of the disease.

He, however, said the disadvantage of this restriction, is that the wolves’ meat supply has been cut off.

Foot and Mouth | Outbreak impacts wolves in Tsitsikamma, Eastern Cape