Three apes at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens died from a shigella infection, causing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Bulera, a 35-year-old female western lowland gorilla, was the first to die from the bacterial infection. The source of the infection is not known, but it could have been spread through contact with feces, food, or water. Other apes at the zoo also exhibited symptoms of shigella, with two more, brother bonobo monkeys named Jumanji and Jenga, also passing away. Both Jumanji and Jenga had underlying heart conditions that made them more susceptible to the infection. Despite efforts to care for the sick apes and prevent further spread of the infection, the zoo experienced the loss of three primates within a week. The zoo staff is focusing on helping the remaining sick apes recover, with significant progress being made. Close monitoring is ongoing as shigella can have periods of improvement followed by relapses. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens expressed their sadness at the deaths of the three primates and praised their team for their hard work and resilience in caring for the sick animals.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
Three apes at Jacksonville Zoo succumb to shigella infection and pass away
