Gorilla and bonobos at Jacksonville Zoo die from Shigella. What you should know
Watch: Three monkeys died from a bacterial infection called Shigella
Three monkeys at the Jacksonville Zoo died within a few days of a bacterial infection.
Duval County residents and zookeepers are mourning the deaths of two more animals, less than a week after a lowland gorilla died from the same highly contagious bacterial disease.
The popular western lowland gorilla Bulera, who won many hearts as a foster mother, has died of shigella at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the zoo announced on August 23.
A few days later, on August 26, the zoo announced that two more animals, the bonobo brothers Jumanji and Jenga, had died from the same disease. Bonobos and chimpanzees look very similar, although bonobos are typically slightly smaller, slimmer and darker than chimpanzees, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Here’s what we know:
Western lowland gorilla Bulera dies of Shigella at Jacksonville Zoo
Bulera, a 35-year-old western lowland gorilla, was the first great ape to die from the highly contagious bacterial disease.
Bulera was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo in 1989 and had to be hand-raised because she suffered an injury that required extensive treatment, according to a Facebook post from the Jacksonville Zoo. She was brought to Jacksonville in 2009.
“Bulera won hearts in 2019 when she became a foster mother to Gandai, a baby whose biological mother was unable to raise. She protected and nurtured Gandai, allowing her to rejoin the troop after five months of 24/7 human care. Bulera even took Gandai to care specialists to bottle feed her,” the zoo said.
Two bonobos die of shigella at Jacksonville Zoo
Bonobo brothers Jumanji and Jenga were the most recent deaths from Shigella at the Jacksonville Zoo. Both bonobos suffered from heart problems, making them more susceptible to Shigella, the zoo said on Facebook.
Jumanji was born in 1996 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. In 2008, he moved with his parents and sister to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
“He was a sweet and gentle soul, a laid-back guy who was friendly to all the other bonobos. Male bonobos stay with their mothers for life and rely heavily on their protection and social status. When Jumanji’s mother passed away in 2018, he lovingly helped his younger brother Jenga settle in,” the zoo said on Facebook.
Jenga was born at the Jacksonville Zoo in 2011. It was the first bonobo birth that the zoo’s keepers were able to witness.
“Jenga was a goofball who loved to play with others and get up to a bit of mischief, but always brought a smile to people’s faces.”
What is Shigella?
Shigella is a bacteria that causes shigellosis, which affects the intestines and causes symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, cramps and dehydration, the zoo said.
“The infection is usually spread through contact with feces, food or water and can be more severe in monkeys because they may have a harder time fighting the bacteria.”
How did Bulera, Jumanji and Jenga get to Shigella?
“Although we may never know the exact source, the bacteria could have come from an asymptomatic monkey or, although unlikely, from a staff member,” the zoo wrote on Facebook. The bacteria can remain inactive in an asymptomatic carrier.
It is equally unlikely that the bacteria entered the monkey through the food it regularly consumed.
Can you get Shigella? Should zoo visitors be concerned?
Yes, people can become infected with Shigella. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people most commonly become infected by eating or drinking contaminated food or water and by coming into contact with people who have or have recently had Shigella.
Transmission is also possible through sexual intercourse with sick people or through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
“Shigella spreads very easily because very few organisms are enough to make someone sick. However, the germs must be ingested to cause illness. This usually happens when people don’t wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom or changing diapers,” Mass.gov says.
According to the CDC, Shigella causes an estimated 450,000 infections in the United States each year.
Although Shigella is highly contagious because it is usually spread through feces, food or water, “there is no danger to guests,” the Jacksonville Zoo says.
Symptoms usually appear in people one to two days after infection and last for seven days. People with shigellosis usually recover within five to seven days without antibiotic treatment. People with mild shigellosis may only need fluids and rest. According to the CDC, most people with shigellosis experience:
- Diarrhea, which may be bloody or prolonged (longer than three days)
- Fever
- Stomach pain
- The feeling of having to have a bowel movement even when the bowel is empty
“In humans, shigellosis usually causes mild symptoms that go away on their own without antibiotics.
Shigella can be much more serious in monkeys, as it may be harder for them to fight off the bacteria. People with underlying medical conditions may be more susceptible.
Are other monkeys sick? What is the Jacksonville Zoo doing to prevent further deaths?
Yes. “Several other monkeys at the Primate Forest have shown symptoms and many are in various stages of treatment and recovery,” the zoo said.
“Our animal care and health teams have worked tirelessly to care for them, using personal protective equipment and regular disinfection to prevent further spread.
“In addition, there is a dedicated team to care for sick monkeys and another team to care for monkeys that have not shown any symptoms. Staff have even made last-minute trips to get things like Pedialyte, Gatorade, popsicles and probiotics to keep the animals hydrated and protect their gut microbiome.”
“Although many of the monkeys are at varying stages of treatment and recovery, we have made significant progress thanks to the hard work and resilience of our team. There can be periods of improvement and relapse with this infection, so we continue to monitor the situation closely.”
What makes it even more difficult for the zoo to contain the spread of Shigella is the fact that the disease can also lie dormant in monkeys that show no symptoms.
“Although the infection started in our gorillas, it spread to bonobos due to shared use of spaces, including the trail system and the kapok tree. As soon as symptoms were detected, quarantine was imposed.
“Staff entering the primate buildings wear full personal protective equipment, including suits, shoe covers, masks and gloves. Cleaning protocols have been intensified and bedding materials are changed several times a day. In addition, a dedicated team cares for monkeys that have shown symptoms and another team cares for animals that remain healthy to minimize cross-contamination.”
How are the monkeys treated?
The monkeys will be given fluids and antibiotics for treatment. Depending on the severity of symptoms, some may require intravenous treatments under sedation, the zoo said.
How can the public help?
If you would like to contribute, either through an in-kind or monetary donation, email Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens at [email protected].
