Browsing by Author "Asiimwe, Caroline"

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    Selective deforestation and exposure of African wildlife to bat-borne viruses
    (Nature Publishing Group UK, 2024-04) Fedurek, Pawel; Asiimwe, Caroline; Rice, Gregory K.; Akankwasa, Walter J; Reynolds, Vernon; Hobaiter, Catherine; Kityo, Robert; Muhanguzi, Geoffrey; Zuberbühler, Klaus; Crockford, Catherine; Cer, Regina Z; Bennett, Andrew J; Rothman, Jessica M; Bishop-Lilly, Kimberly A; Goldberg, Tony L.
    Proposed mechanisms of zoonotic virus spillover often posit that wildlife transmission and amplification precede human outbreaks. Between 2006 and 2012, the palm Raphia farinifera , a rich source of dietary minerals for wildlife, was nearly extirpated from Budongo Forest, Uganda. Since then, chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, and red duiker were observed feeding on bat guano, a behavior not previously observed. Here we show that guano consumption may be a response to dietary mineral scarcity and may expose wildlife to bat-borne viruses. Videos from 2017–2019 recorded 839 instances of guano consumption by the aforementioned species. Nutritional analysis of the guano revealed high concentrations of sodium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. Metagenomic analyses of the guano identified 27 eukaryotic viruses, including a novel betacoronavirus. Our findings illustrate how “upstream” drivers such as socioeconomics and resource extraction can initiate elaborate chains of causation, ultimately increasing virus spillover risk. A study in Uganda found that local extirpation of a mineral-rich tree species used in tobacco farming forced wildlife to obtain minerals by eating bat guano, in which 27 eukaryotic viruses were identified, including a novel betacoronavirus.
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    Transdisciplinary approach to solving conservation challenges: A case of Budongo Conservation Field Station, Uganda
    (PeerJ PrePrints, 2016) Asiimwe, Caroline; Muhanguzi, Geoffrey; Okwir, Eric; Okimat, John Paul; Bugenyi, Andrew W.; Mugabe, Timothy; Babweteera, Fred
    The conservation of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) faces complex and dynamic threats, deriving mostly from anthropogenic factors such as high density and poverty in local human populations. One specific threat is poaching, which contributes to both permanent physical disabilities in chimpanzees and cross-species disease transmission. In the Sonso chimpanzee community, Budongo forest, Uganda, over 20% chimpanzees are permanently disabled by indiscriminate poachers’ snare-trap. While severe injuries can sometimes result in death, little is known about the long-term health impacts of poaching to chimpanzees or possible effective mitigation measures. To combat and monitor the complexities of conservation threats, a holistic transdisciplinary approach is required and as a result, the Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS) has implemented a comprehensive strategy. Instead of focusing solely on chimpanzee health, our multi-faced tit-for-tat approach also incorporates education and action measures for local communities living adjacent to the forest. To reduce poaching, we provide alternative livelihood sources, veterinary services and education while concurrently employing their local indigenous knowledge of poaching practices to more effectively locate snares/traps in the forest. To mitigate disease transmission across species, beneficiaries in incentive programs must have functional sanitation facilities. To consistently monitor threats and conservation impacts, we routinely collect data on snare recovery and infectious disease prevalence in chimpanzees, humans and livestock. Our preliminary results, since the programs’ inception, show a reduction in respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections coupled with an increase in snare recovery from the forest. These findings suggest that our holistic approach is effective in mitigating the threats to chimpanzees in Budongo forest.
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    Vaginal Prolapse in a Handicapped, Multiparous Wild Chimpanzee in Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda
    (African Primates, 2014) Asiimwe, Caroline; Reynolds, Vernon; Zziwa, Paul; Mugabe, Timothy; Walumbe, Wyclif; Muhanguzi, Geoffrey; Babweteera, Fred; Zuberbühler, Klaus
    The propensity of human females to develop vaginal prolapse is related to age, number of births, neonatal birth weight, genetics and other factors. Here, we report on a vaginal prolapse in a 33-year old, multiparous, handicapped wild chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), following her sixth delivery. Compared to the other 22 parous females of the Sonso community, the subject exhibited a high number of births within a short time period. Thus, the possible cause for her condition may have been the high number of vaginal births combined with the size and weight of the neonate. Additional possible factors not investigated here are: the impact of prolonged stage-two labour, persistent straining and genetic factors. The female fully recovered within 15 days and exhibited no unusual behavioural patterns or physiological abnormalities during recovery. We conclude that vaginal prolapse is not restricted to humans but also occurs in our closest relatives, the chimpanzees.