Great apes have been put on lockdown against the threat of coronavirus.
Gorilla tourism in Africa has been suspended, while sanctuaries for other apes, such as orangutans, have closed to the public. It’s not known if great apes can contract the virus, but there are growing fears that our closest living relatives might be equally at risk.
National parks and sanctuaries across Africa have closed to the public and to researchers after recommendations from leading experts who had already recommended social distancing measures be taken to protect the apes from the virus, according to the BBC.
“We don’t know if it’s infected mountain gorillas; we have not seen any evidence of that,” Dr. Kirsten Gilardi, the chief veterinary officer for Gorilla Doctors, told the outlet.
“But because mountain gorillas are susceptible to human pathogens, we know that they can develop respiratory illness.”
