A coprologic study of free-ranging western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at Bai Hokou, Dzangha-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic (2°51′34″N, 16°28′03″E) was conducted from October 1999 to November 2000. All 75 fecal samples examined were positive for endoparasites, and each contained at least two species. Parasites present included two genera of amoebae, entodiniomorph ciliates, including Prototapirella gorillae, Troglodytella spp., and Gorillophilus thoracatus, a Balantidium-like organism, strongyle/trichostrongyle eggs (including a presumptive Mammomonogamus sp. and several other genera), Strongyloides sp., Probstmayria sp., a spirurid, a trichuroid, and several unidentified trematodes. Flagellates and cestodes were not found. Despite the presence of a variety of parasite genera, in general, levels of parasitism were low. These data provide baseline parasitologic data for this population as part of a comprehensive health-monitoring program. With the advent of ecotourism in this study area, continued monitoring is indicated for insuring the health of both gorillas and humans in the Bai Hokou study area.
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1 October 2004
Endoparasites of Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at Bai Hokou, Central African Republic
Andrea S. Freeman,
John M. Kinsella,
Chloe Cipolletta,
Sharon L. Deem,
William B. Karesh
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 40 • No. 4
October 2004
Vol. 40 • No. 4
October 2004
ecotourism
endoparasite
entodiniomorph ciliate
Gorilla gorilla
habituation
lowland gorillas
Mammomonogamus