Disease Risk and Conservation Implications of Orangutan Translocations

Abstract

Critically Endangered orangutans are translocated in several situations: reintroduced into historic range where no wild populations exist, released to reinforce existing wild populations, and wild-to-wild translocated to remove individuals from potentially risky situations. Translocated orangutans exposed to human diseases, including Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), pose risks to wild and previously released conspecifics. Wildlife disease risk experts recommended halting great ape translocations during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize risk of disease transmission to wild populations. We collected data on orangutan releases and associated disease risk management in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic, and developed a problem description for orangutan disease and conservation risks. We identified that at least 15 rehabilitated ex-captive and 27 wild captured orangutans were released during the study period. Identified disease risks included several wild-to-wild translocated orangutans in direct contact or proximity to humans without protective equipment, and formerly captive rehabilitated orangutans that have had long periods of contact and potential exposure to human diseases. While translocation practitioners typically employ mitigation measures to decrease disease transmission likelihood, these measures cannot eliminate all risk, and are not consistently applied. COVID-19 and other diseases of human origin can be transmitted to orangutans, which could have catastrophic impacts on wild orangutans, other susceptible fauna, and humans should disease transmission occur. We recommend stakeholders conduct a Disease Risk Analysis for orangutan translocation, and improve pathogen surveillance and mitigation measures to decrease the likelihood of potential outbreaks. We also suggest refocusing conservation efforts on alternatives to wild-to-wild translocation including mitigating human-orangutan interactions, enforcing laws and protecting orangutan habitats to conserve orangutans in situ.

Metatranscriptomic Comparison of Viromes in Endemic and Introduced Passerines in New Zealand

“…However, a recent metagenomic study identified divergent caliciviruses in the western honey bee Apis mellifera (PNG bee virus 1, 12 and 9) [ 53 ], suggesting they might also be able to infect invertebrates. We detected four novel species of calicivirus that fall into a clade with PNG bee virus 1 and 12, and “calicivirus mystacina”, a calicivirus found in the lesser short-tailed bat/pekapeka Mystacina tuberculata in New Zealand [ 54 ] ( Figure 8 ). The presence of the bee viruses in this clade raises the possibility that these are all invertebrate viruses, and both our avian viruses and the bat virus may be of dietary origin, although this will need to be resolved with additional sampling.…”

Metatranscriptomic comparison of viromes in endemic and introduced passerines in New Zealand

“…However, a recent metagenomic study identified divergent caliciviruses in the western honey bee Apis mellifera (PNG bee virus 1, 12 and 9) [51], suggesting they might also be able to infect invertebrates. We detected four novel species of calicivirus that fall into a clade with PNG bee virus 1 and 12, and “Calicivirus mystacina ”, a calicivirus found in the lesser short-tailed bat Mystacina tuberculata in New Zealand [52] (Figure 8). The presence of the bee viruses in this clade raises the possibility that these are all invertebrate viruses, and both our avian viruses and the bat virus may be of dietary origin, although this will need to be resolved with additional sampling.…”

Human-Borne Pathogens: Are They Threatening Wild Great Ape Populations?

“…Although there have been very few studies carried out on wild orangutans, there is evidence showing that these great apes can contract respiratory diseases of human origin, both viral and bacterial [ 91 ].…”