Devastating Malaria Could Affect African Apes in Wild, Research Warns

Recent research showed that devastating Malaria could affect and harm the health and population of endangered Apes in Africa, including bonobos.

The study findings were published in Nature Communications.

The researchers looked into the possible impact of Malaria on endangered apes.

Cases of Malaria

The rising cases of Malaria have concerned Africa, especially regarding the impact on health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) records, Malaria is considered a dangerous disease brought about by Plasmodium parasites.

The WHO further report added that malaria cases could be transmitted from mosquito bites.

In 2021, Malaria cases globally reached about 247 million cases. Deaths were 619,000 cases.

Moreover, the WHO emphasized that parts of Africa had the most cases of Malaria.

According to reports, Malaria symptoms include headache and fever.

The report added that people with weaker immunity and access to health could be more at risk of Malaria.

Early prevention and diagnosis are crucial to saving patients from Malaria.

Harmful effects of Malaria on apes

(Photo : by THOMAS LOHNES/DDP/AFP via Getty Images)
Devastating Malaria Affects Endangered Bonobos, Study Warns

Although the study explained the difficulty of tracking malaria cases in apes, the researchers tried to observe the possible impact on their well-being.

The study aimed to observe the impact of malaria on endangered apes, including bonobos.

Part of the study is to investigate the effect of malaria on mortality risks.

The study findings are also available to read on the Phys.org website.

Furthermore, the researchers explained Malaria could also harm African apes, including gorillas and chimpanzees.

Also Read: Three Endangered African Penguins at Arizona Aquarium Give Hope for Conservation Efforts Against Species Population Decline 

According to Beatrice Hahn of the University of Pennsylvania, the researcher emphasized the crucial role of understanding the malaria cases on possible transmissions to humans and apes, especially since their species are considered likely the closest similarities to humans.

Although more studies are needed, the researchers explained that malaria cases had been found in the apes' feces using DNA analysis.

Impact of malaria parasite on Bonobos

According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the bonobos' species is known as pan paniscus and is considered endangered.

• WWF said that there is about 10,000 to 50,000 population of bonobos. They could reach up to 28 to 35 inches in height. In addition, they can weigh up to 86 pounds.
• The report added that bonobos thrive in parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Being endangered, the population of bonobos has suffered from habitat loss and poaching.

According to research published in Nature Communications, there is a growing interest in how Bonobos managed to have a positive sample from the ten sites the study conducted.

The researchers explained that after careful DNA analysis, 38% of endangered bonobos were revealed to get a parasite from feces.

The low cases to the absence of malaria's Plasmodium from the examined sites amazed the researchers.

The report published on Phys.org added that bonobos managed to evade malaria infections.

In addition, the research said that bonobos have immune gene or protective variants that help them from the transmission of deadly malaria.

However, the study added that the possible transmissions could affect the reproductive success among the bonobos' population.

There is also a possibility that the infection could increase the mortality of bonobos.

Ultimately, bonobos show a remarkable way to survive and adapt to potential infection.

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