RESEARCH
Research Support Philosophy
Once a study is completed, the results of the research project is published in the Journal of the South African Veterinary Association or an international peer-reviewed journal on the ISI list of journals, as well as presented at a South African Veterinary Association congress or other appropriate SA congress.
Current Projects Supported Financially by SAVF
The SAVF funds a wide variety of projects that will be helpful for the care and conservation of both domestic and wild animals. We are particularly interested in encouraging research for the conservation of endangered species.
Published Projects supported Financially by the Foundation
Published projects are listed on a separate page with abstracts.
Research to Help Save the Rhino
An estimated 80% of all the rhinos in Africa are found in South Africa. Alarmingly, 70% of this vitally important population occur in tuberculosis-infected areas. There is no known cure or treatment and no means of controlling TB in wild populations.
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Tuberculosis first infected buffalo herds and has reached epidemic proportions. The disease has already spilt over to lion, kudu, cheetah and baboons. It now threatens the last southern strongholds of the black and white rhinos of Africa and may wipe out these populations completely!
It is vitally important that infected and clean rhinos be separated in order to ensure the survival of the species. The crisis is that there is no scientific data on TB in wild rhino populations and there is no means of diagnosing TB in live rhinos. To save the species, research must be done urgently.
If you would like to support our Rhino research, we would welcome your contribution – please click here
Tuberculosis in Lions
In the light of the epidemic status of tuberculosis in the buffalo of the Kruger National Park in South Africa, scientists were extremely concerned about the threat posed by TB to the lion population of the park.