Facial dysplasia in wild forest olive baboons (Papio anubis) in Sebitoli, Kibale National Park, Uganda: Use of camera traps to detect health defects

Abstract

Background Primate populations are in decline, mainly affected by agriculture leading to habitat loss, fragmentation but also chemical pollution. Kibale National Park (Uganda), Sebitoli forest, surrounded by tea and crop fields, is the home range of chimpanzees presenting congenital facial dysplasia. This study aimed to identify to what extent the same phenotypical features are observed in baboons (Papio anubis) of this area. Methods A total of 25 390 clips recorded by 14 camera traps between January 2017 and April 2018 were analyzed. Results We identified 30 immature and adult baboons of both sexes with nose and lip deformities. They were more frequently observed in the northwestern part of the area. Conclusions A possible effect of pesticides used in crops at the border of their habitat is suspected to alter the embryonic development. This study emphasizes the importance of non‐invasive methods to detect health problems in wild primates that can act as sentinels for human health.

Chemical pollution as a driver of biodiversity loss and potential deterioration of ecosystem services in Eastern Africa: A critical review

“…By acting as endocrine disruptors, such pesticides lead to severe health defects, including facial dysplasia. 58,59 Wang et al 60 also recently revealed the presence of different pesticides and flame retardants in faecal samples of wild chimpanzees, baboons, red-tailed monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius), and red colobuses (Piliocolobus tephrosceles).…”

Facial malformations, including cleft lip and palate, in wild primates in Paraguay

“…Basic health assessments of wild primates can be achieved by observation of their physical condition 1,2 . Physical malformations observed in wild primates can often be attributed to old injuries resulting from falls, fights or becoming trapped in snares 2,3 ; however, in other cases the malformations may be congenital 1 . In non‐human primates, the rates of congenital malformations have been estimated to be between 0.44% and 1.62% in African/Asian primates such as baboons ( Papio spp.)…”

An Environmental Justice Perspective on Smallholder Pesticide Use in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Pesticide drift has several other ways of affecting humans via ecosystem effects. Some species are particularly vulnerable; in Uganda, a series of studies warn that pesticide contamination is negatively affecting vulnerable species in protected areas (Krief et al., 2017; Lacroux et al., 2019; Spirhanzlova et al., 2019). According to Krief et al.…”

“…(2017), pesticide use at surrounding (mostly small) farms may pose an “underestimated threat” to primates in Kibale National Park. Lacroux et al. (2019) view these effects as “sentinels” for human health, but they may already affect groups with wildlife and/or forest-based livelihoods.…”