Mbororo pastoral practices and bovine trypanosomosis in an area of wet Savannah of the Central African Republic

Abstract

A study was undertaken to understand the organization of the pastoral space of the Mhororo cattle breeders in the Central African Republic and the spatial movements of their zebu cattle inside this space. Besides the breeder’s encampment, the pastoral space is divided into three main areas: the cattle rest area, the cattle’s watering place and the pasture which is criss-crossed by numerous paths. This investigation reveals that the use of the pastoral space is based on a spatial and temporal segregation of the movements of the zebu cattle. In the wet savannahs of the Central African Republic where Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newst. 1910 is the main vector of bovine trypanosomosis the authors emphasize that a thorough examination of the pastoral strategies provides further elements for a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of nagana. For example, the differential management of calves and adult cattle is probably an important epidemiological factor.