Field immobilization for treatment of an unknown illness in a wild chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Gombe National Park, Tanzania: findings, challenges, and lessons learned

Abstract

Infectious diseases are widely presumed to be one of the greatest threats to ape conservation in the wild. Human diseases are of particular concern and the costs and benefits of human presence in protected areas with apes are regularly debated. While numerous syndromes with fatal outcomes have recently been described, precise identification of pathogens remains difficult. These diagnostic difficulties are compounded by the fact that direct veterinary intervention on wild apes is quite rare. Here we present the unique case of a wild chimpanzee at Gombe National Park who was observed with a severe illness and was subsequently examined and treated in the field. Multiple specimens were collected and tested with the aim of identifying the pathogen responsible for the illness. Our findings represent the first extensive screening of a living wild chimpanzee, yet despite our efforts, the cause and source of illness remains unknown. Nevertheless, our findings represent valuable baseline data for the ape conservation community and for comparison with other recent findings. In addition, we present the case here to demonstrate the planning required and multiple types of expertise necessary to maximize the amount of data obtained from such a rare intervention, and to provide lessons learned for future studies.

Phylogenomic evidence for recombination of adenoviruses in wild gorillas

“…In captive NHPs, AdVs are associated with respiratory disease (Chen et al, 2011;Chiu et al, 2013;Wevers et al, 2010), but almost nothing is known about the clinical relevance of AdVs in wild NHP populations. AdVs have been reported to be transmitted between primate species, including zoonotic transmission to humans (Chen et al, 2011;Chiu et al, 2013;Ersching et al, 2010;Hoppe et al, 2015;Lonsdorf et al, 2014;Mwenda et al, 2005;Xiang et al, 2006), demonstrating their ability to switch between primate hosts.…”

Destabilization of the gut microbiome marks the end‐stage of simian immunodeficiency virus infection in wild chimpanzees

“…This analysis identified only a very small number of paired reads ( N = 29), which either mapped to chimpanzee stool associated circular virus (Chi‐SCV) ( N = 22) or chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdV) ( N = 7). Both Chi‐SCV [Blinkova et al, ] and ChAdV [Cross, ; Lonsdorf et al, ] infections have previously been documented in Gombe chimpanzees. Moreover, most of the virus‐specific reads (93%) were recovered from fecal samples of SIVcpz‐infected chimpanzees (Fig.…”

Characterization of sinoatrial automaticity in Microcebus murinus to study the effect of aging on cardiac activity and the correlation with longevity

“…HR, maximal life expectancy, body size and the resulting number of heartbeats per lifetime were obtained from data available in the literature for different mammals including 10 species of primates, 12 species of rodents and 9 species of domestic mammals from different orders. In particular we took in consideration the species GML, common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) 80,81 , squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) 82,83 , capuchin Monkeys (Cebus apella) 66 , rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) 84,85 , chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) 86 , Babouin hamadryas (Papio hamadryas) 87 , orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) 88 and gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) 89 , in comparison to humans 55 for the primate order; mouse 45 , hamster 64,90 , rat 47 , Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) 91,92 guinea pig 93 , red North American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) 2 , muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) 94 , marmot (Marmota monax) 95 , capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) 96,97 , agouti (Dasyprocta primnolopha) 98 , North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) 95 , north american beaver (Castor canadensis) 94 for rodents and rabbit 99 , dog 99,100 , sheep 101 , cat 102 , pig 103 , goat 104,105 , donkey 106 , horse 107 and camel 108 for the domestic mammals. HR were reported from results obta...…”