Epidemiology is the study of health
at the population level. Lincoln Park Zoo established the Davee
Center for Veterinary Epidemiology and Endocrinology to
bridge the gap between population biology and veterinary medicine.
The Davee Center studies ape health issues both in the wild
and in zoos.
Apes in zoos are studied as one population
in order to identify issues important to their husbandry and
management, including the effectiveness of vaccines, maximizing
the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy and performing cost-benefit
analyses of preventive medicine protocols.
Scientists have
determined that encroachment by humans and agriculture are
likely responsible for the spread
of diseases such as measles, mange and influenza to wild apes.
The zoo’s scientists are working with the Mountain Gorilla
Veterinary Project in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic
of Congo, the Jane Goodall Institute in Tanzania, and with the
Pan African Sanctuary Alliance in order to eliminate such occurrences
in the future and to provide timely treatment should disease
be detected.
Partnering with PASA
While wild populations continue to decrease, the number of orphaned primates
has increased. An umbrella organization called the Pan-African Sanctuary
Alliance (PASA) was formed in 2000 to help coordinate the efforts of 17 African
sanctuaries. These facilities house more than 800 great apes. One of PASA's
goals is to reintroduce primates to the natural environment. The Davee Center
is assisting PASA with managing the risk of disease spread both in sanctuaries
and in reintroduction efforts.
Partnering with MGVP
The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP) provides veterinary services
to endangered gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. MGVP initiatives include providing basic veterinary services as well
as disease surveillance, risk assessment, outbreak response and targeted
research for specific health issues. The Davee
Center provides epidemiological expertise to MGVP in all of these areas.
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