LAKE KARIBA AND SALISBURY, ZIMBABWE (VISNEWS - CHRIS EVERSON)

GV PAN Veterinary Research Buildings in Salisbury
Gv Oxen being led into tent (2 shots)
SV INTERIOR Scientific apparatus
GV PAN men making fly traps (2 shots)
SV Scientists working with apparatus (4 shots)
GV Lake Kariba
GV Scientists setting up equipment at lakeside (4 shots)

Background: INTRODUCTION: Lake Kariba, in Zimbabwe, provides recreation for residents and tourists. Several large river flow into the lake and through the agricultural lands of both Zimbabwe and Zambia. The use of persistent insecticides on the crops and in the control programmes for mosquitoes and tsetse flies has endangered the delicate eco-system which is based on the lake. Efforts are being made to stop this pollution and one agency making good progress is the Tsetse control Branch of Veterinary Service in Zimbabwe.

SYNOPSIS: The new system being developed by the Veterinary Services in Salisbury is based on the fact that the files find their way tot heir hosts largely by smell. As soon as this was realised, Dr. Glyn Vale and Professor Einar Bursall, of the 'Tsetse Control Department' knew they had a way of bringing the flies to them, rather than having to go to the flies over large tracts of rough country. Valuable assistance is being given by scientists at the 'Tropical Products Institute' in London and the 'Tsetse Research laboratory' near Bristol. Scientists at these British institutes are examining the odour of an ox to determine what compound attracts the flies. Carbon dioxide and acetone have already been identified as playing some part in the attraction. While this research goes on the Zimbabwean scientists have set up apparatus to rap the flies.

The devices, hand-made to exacting specifications effectively sterilise the flies. Male flies are then returned to the bush where they mate with young females. These matings are ineffective with the female only mating once in her lifetime. The effect of the device is propagated by each male fly treated. Researchers are confident that if the components can be successfully identified an produced artificially it could revolutionise anti tsetse operations.
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