Pastoralists in Taraba and Adamawa states especially those domiciling around the Gumti National Park, have begun to report significant gains following the recent vaccination outreach for their cattle.

Over 150,000 cattle, as gathered by The Guardian, were recently administered vaccines for Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (HSV), Anthrax, and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia Virus (CBPPV), by the Africa Nature Investors. 

The timely intervention, our state correspondent learnt led to the massive prevention of the spread of Hemorrhagic Septicemia in the aforementioned states.

The recent deadly outbreak of the disease, it would be recalled to have led to the deaths of over two thousand cows in Taraba.

Speaking, yesterday, the leader of the Fulani community in Toungo local government council of in Adamawa state, Ardo Dare, said the intervention of the ANI, have go a long way to prevent their cattle from being infected by the recent outbreak of the cow disease.

Dare who announced that “in 2023, my community benefited from the cattle vaccination exercise”, said, “we were pleasantly surprised to receive another round in 2024.”

Emphasizing the positive impact of the vaccinations,  the improved health and increased number of cattle in communities spread across the two states, he said has led to immunity to diseases that have affected other herds.

While reflecting on the initial skepticism towards ANI, Dare admitted that many pastoralists in his community initially feared that the foundation’s presence was intended to displace them.

“Our perspective has drastically changed due to the support and collaboration ANI has offered us “, adding that “the negative perception about ANI has changed completely with the support we are receiving. They have brought a new lease of life to the area, and that is why we are living in peace and harmony now.”

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Urging fellow pastoralists to support ANI’s efforts and adhere to the rules and regulations of the park, the Vice Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Toungo local government council,  said “the vaccination has greatly boosted the lives and businesses of the Fulani communities within and around Toungo.

Highlighting the importance of the Gashaka Gumti National Park’s protection, which he believes is crucial for the pastoralists’ security and access to resources like water and favorable weather conditions, he pledged with the communities to continue to support ANI’s efforts to protect the park and its environment.  

On his part, the foundation Liasion manager, David Peter, said the foundation “came up with the intervention to support pastoralists in the communities around, just as others have gotten support in different areas.

“The cattle belong to the resident herders and pastoralists in the support zone of the park and those living inside the enclaves of the park and not the seasonal nomads coming from far north or other countries.

“There were 25 vaccination centers located within the support zone of the park and in its enclave communities, made up of 10 vaccination centers in the Gumti-Adamawa sector of the park and 15 vaccination centers in the Gashaka-Taraba sector of the park.”