Title
Socioecological predictors of respiratory illness in western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Author(s)
Cooksey, K. E.;Sanz, C.;Massamba, J. M.;Ebombi, T. F.;Teberd, P.;Magema, E.;Abea, G.;Mbebouti, G.;Peralejo, J. S. O.;Kienast, I.;et al.
Published
2021
Publisher
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Abstract
Socioecological factors have previously been linked to incidences of respiratory illness in primates. Due to their phylogenetic relatedness to humans, great apes are particularly susceptible to anthropogenic respiratory infections. Respiratory illness is the second leading cause of death in mountain gorilla populations but remains relatively understudied in western lowland gorillas. We explore potential socioecological predictors of respiratory illness across four groups of western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in northern Republic of Congo. A total of 17,592 observa-tional health assessments were conducted during daily follows in the Goualougo and Djeke Triangles from March 2015 to October 2019. We detected several respiratory episodes within the focal population and observed 828 incidences of respiratory symptoms identifed as coughing and sneezing. We observed an average of 7.98 incidences/month (on 9.8% of total observation days) and 7.45 incidences/month (on 2.8% of total observation days) at Goualougo and Mondika, respectively. We propose there is a correlation between the presence of respiratory illness with other indications of altered health profles as there are periods where both were present. Based on the observed dynamics of disease spread, we consider plausible ways in which these respiratory infections transfer both within and between groups. Additionally, we suggest identifying key variables impacting respiratory infection transmission, as it can be pivotal in mitigating future respiratory outbreaks. In an effort to contribute to reduce rates of respiratory infections in gorillas, we provide recommendations for best practices and management protocols, in both the wild and captive setting.
Keywords
anthropology; evolutionary biology
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PUB26280