Treating Parasites: veterinary medicine across the wild and domesticated in Bwindi, Uganda

ČERVENÁ, Barbora, Kelly Marie SAMBUCCI and Paride BOLLETTIN. Treating Parasites: veterinary medicine across the wild and domesticated in Bwindi, Uganda. In Anthrozoology Symposium, Multispecies Communities and Narratives, Romania. 2023.

Basic information

• Original name: Treating Parasites: veterinary medicine across the wild and domesticated in Bwindi, Uganda
• Authors: ČERVENÁ, Barbora, Kelly Marie SAMBUCCI and Paride BOLLETTIN.
• Edition: Anthrozoology Symposium, Multispecies Communities and Narratives, Romania, 2023.

Other information

• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL

Abstract

Mountain gorillas have been suffering with an increase in cases of so-called chronic wasting syndrome in recent years. Researchers are approaching the environment from complementary perspectives to elucidate the parasitic diseases of primates in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and try to uncover the possible causative pathogen of this chronic wasting. Of particular importance is the relationship with domestic animals such as livestock or dogs who live close to and enter the park where the gorillas live. In an attempt to save this endangered species veterinary interventions take place to target affected individuals with deworming drugs. Similarly, to manage potential cross-host transmission from local domestic species and to improve their productivity, livestock are routinely dewormed surrounding the park. In the presentation, we will describe the role of the veterinarian within this war against the parasites, reflecting on how we treat parasites in both wild and domesticated species. Why we target some and not others, and with whom the treatment is really for. Wildlife conservation practices and veterinary interventions for ‘wild’ species are often seen as a necessity to save species that could otherwise go extinct, however, the value of the species greatly depends on its status within the world and society, and even more importantly the value that they can provide. Mountain gorilla tourism is a huge economic entity and therefore this adds another layer of importance to their existence. The thesis is that human-wildlife-domestic animal interface, and the multiple dimensions of these interrelations, needs to be considered when managing the parasites with the goal of protecting this iconic species.