BAHA: strict on all animal import
For the young and the young at heart, seeing an African elephant, an Asian tiger or even a Peruvian llama in real life is a source of great excitement. But with these amazing animals comes the possibility of diseases which might affect our local animal population. News 5’s Patrick Jones explains.
Patrick Jones Reporting
The circus animals, belonging to Circo Hermanos Gasca of Mexico, arrived at Belize?s western border on Wednesday morning and waited their cages while officials worked through the piles of paperwork. According to Veterinary Officer with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority Dr. Miguel Depaz, there are strict guidelines for the importation of animals.
Dr. Miguel Depaz B Veterinary Officer, BAHA
Well we do a visual inspection. A visual inspection can tell you a lot. When an animal is sick the animal is lethargic and depressed and anorectic and you have to depend a lot on the visual inspection. And along with that you need to review the records or the certificate that the veterinarian is issuing in the country of origin. And we have to have a lot of faith in his paper and that?s why we put in a note there that it should be an accredited vet that is issuing the certificate.?
While that certificate confirms that the necessary lab work has been done, Depaz says Belizean official conduct their own inspection to make sure infection is not imported into the country.
Dr. Miguel Depaz
?These animals would need to be tested negative for tuberculosis and brucellosis. These are diseases of concern in that they can be transmitted to humans. We call then zoonotic diseases. And Belize, we consider Belize free of brucellosis in that ever since I have been working, we have never detected that disease here. And that is of importance, we want to make sure these animals are free of this disease because it can get into our herds.?
Emilio Moreno, Manager Circo HMNOS. GASCA
?Elephants, tigers, camels, horses and dogs.?
While the horses and dogs are native to Belize, the Bengal Tigers, Llama, Camels and Elephants are not. Manager of the circus, Emilio Moreno, says it takes a lot to keep the animals healthy and happy.
Emilio Moreno
?It?s a bit difficult because each animal has a different diet. For example elephants eat a lot; about a hundred pounds of food daily. The tigers eat about seven whole chickens a day, in addition to milk, eggs, and fish. So it?s very expensive to feed them.?
?They are free to move around. The only time we put them in cages is when we are travelling, so they do not have to be walking. Once the circus is set up, there is a big zoo measuring about twenty-five metres in which they move around.?
While the convoy was eventually cleared for entry, News 5 observed open wounds on at least two of the animals. Moreno downplayed the seriousness of the wounds and Dr. Depaz did not think them reason to turn the performers back.
Emilio Moreno
?In every country a vet comes to inspect the animals, BAHA has come already to see the animals, to make sure that they are in good health. We also bring with us lab results which show that these animals are free from any diseases. In the case of a serious sickness we bring or we send for our vet from Mexico to come and inspect them.?
Dr. Miguel Depaz
?Wounds are important in that some countries have screw worm and Belize has eradicated screw worms some years behind. And so that?s why a wound is important we want to ensure there is no screw worm there. But if there is no screw worm, we allow the animal and we can treat the wound.?
?These animals I reviewed everything, point by point and they did well. I mean they had everything.?
Patrick Jones
?So these animals were given by you a clean bill of health to enter Belize??
Dr. Miguel Depaz
?That is right. That is correct.?
According to BAHA, another medical checkup of the circus animals will be conducted in a week?s time. Patrick Jones, for News 5.
