Bulera, a 35-year-old female lowland gorilla died due to shigellosis, a highly contagious bacterial infection, the zoo announced in a post on social media on August 22. Two brother bonobos, Jumanji and Jenga, later died from the infection.
Thursday, August 29, 2024 12:39PMThree apes at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens died over the past week due to a highly infectious bacterial infection, according to the zoo.
The source of the infection is unknown, but the zoo said it could have come from an asymptomatic ape who began to shed bacteria for an unknown reason. "It's also possible that the bacteria came from an asymptomatic staff member, but this is highly unlikely," the zoo said. All three animals had existing heart conditions, making them more susceptible to the infection spreading among the primates at the zoo, according to Fenn.
Indigenous to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, bonobos are similar to chimpanzees, but have a smaller frame, shorter clavicle and smaller molars. The female bonobo is the head of the pack and male bonobos remain with their mothers for life relying on them for protection and social status, the zoo noted.
Shigellosis can be much more serious in apes since it can be harder for them to fight off the bacteria, the zoo said.
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