Prevalence of helminths in mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - community interface

Abstract

Gastrointestinal helminth infections are among the most common parasitic diseases affecting wild primates and may compromise individual health, population viability, and conservation efforts, particularly in the endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). The close proximity between mountain gorillas and surrounding human communities at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park community interface may increase chances for parasite transmission through shared environments. This study assessed the prevalence and diversity of helminths in mountain gorillas at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park community interface. A cross-sectional study was conducted using 36 fresh faecal samples collected noninvasively from four habituated mountain gorilla groups (Habinyanja, Rushegura, Binyindo, and Katwe). Samples were examined using sedimentation, flotation and the McMaster faecal egg-counting technique to identify helminth eggs and determine faecal egg counts (eggs per gram, EPG) of faeces. Overall, 20/36 of the faecal samples (55.6%) were positive for at least one gastrointestinal helminth. Four helminth groups were identified: Strongyle, Strongyloides, Moniezia and Anoplocephala. Strongyle had the highest prevalence (47.2%), followed by Moniezia (25.0%), Strongyloides (13.9%), and Anoplocephala (2.8%). Strongyle also recorded the highest mean faecal egg count (1422.5 ± 1467.1 EPG), indicating the greatest infection burden among the detected helminths. The study demonstrates that gastrointestinal helminths remain common among mountain gorillas at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park community interface, with Strongyle representing the predominant parasites in terms of both prevalence and infection intensity. Continued parasitological surveillance, strengthened One Health approaches and improved management of human–livestock–wildlife interactions are recommended to reduce parasite transmission risks and support the long-term conservation of mountain gorillas.