Frankfurt Zoo says goodbye to its West Caucasian turs: infection forces the group to be phased out

Frankfurt Zoo has announced the end of its West Caucasian tur (Capra caucasica) programme, following the detection of paratuberculosis, a chronic and incurable bacterial disease affecting ruminants.

According to the zoo, all animals in the group were humanely euthanised for veterinary reasons to prevent the infection from spreading to other species housed at the facility.

An incurable disease

Paratuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. It is found worldwide, primarily in domestic ruminants such as cattle, but it can also infect giraffes, antelopes, gazelles and other wild ruminant species.

The disease causes chronic inflammation of the intestines, leading to progressive weight loss, diarrhoea and, ultimately, death.

There are currently no effective vaccines or treatments capable of curing infected animals.

Strict screening, but no zero-risk scenario

Frankfurt Zoo emphasises that all animals transferred between zoological institutions as part of international conservation programmes undergo rigorous health screening and quarantine procedures. The zoo also operates one of Germany’s most advanced quarantine facilities.

Despite these measures, diagnosing mycobacterial infections is particularly challenging, as infected animals may not test positive during the early stages of the disease. The bacterium was detected in the tur group during one of the zoo’s routine health checks.

Protecting other endangered species

The decision was taken for two reasons: to prevent the disease from spreading to the zoo’s other ruminants and to avoid unnecessary suffering for the animals already affected.

Among the species the zoo aims to protect are some of its most endangered mammals, including addax, Mhorr gazelles, okapis, and other ruminants managed under international conservation programmes.

The enclosure will remain empty

The enclosure that housed the West Caucasian turs cannot accommodate other ruminants for the foreseeable future.

Before it can be used again, it will undergo extensive sanitary decontamination and will only reopen once the bacterium can no longer be detected.

In the meantime, the animals have been transferred to specialised laboratories for further examination. The analyses will help researchers better understand the spread of the infection and contribute to ongoing studies of a disease that remains one of the major veterinary challenges in the management of both domestic and wild ruminants.