INTERVIEW
In Africa, the natural habitats of various species of great apes have long been threatened by poachers. The appearance of the coronavirus now makes them run a new risk: that of a lack of protection, consequences of containment measures, and of contamination from humans to animals. Asked at the microphone of Europe 1 Sunday about her experience with chimpanzees in Uganda, veterinary primatologist Sabrina Krief expressed her concern: "Primates will probably be sensitive to this coronavirus if they are in contact with it."
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"The pressure is increasing"
In Kibale National Park, the monitoring and protection of chimpanzees is hampered by containment measures: teams of veterinarians are reduced and direct contact with wild animals prohibited. "The number of cases in Uganda is not huge but containment measures have been taken," said Sabrina Krief, adding: "We have maintained anti-poaching patrols because the pressure is increasing."
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The phenomenon is not unique to Uganda. Poaching and illegal logging have increased near Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and in Benin. The risk to wildlife is even greater. "What most affects chimpanzees who are in contact with humans are most often respiratory diseases", deplores the veterinarian also a professor attached to the Museum of Natural History.
Proximity between the animal world and that of humans
The contamination could come from poachers, but also from tourists or even veterinarians. In addition, containment measures are difficult to apply to citizens near national parks. Sabrina Krief argues that part of the population has to travel daily to get water. "There are also serious flooding problems in Uganda [...] with hundreds of thousands of displaced people," she added.
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In this context, the pandemic must act as an "electroshock": "We must take measures against poaching, everything that destroys habitat!" The proximity between the animal world and that of humans is the main cause of the outbreak of epidemics. Referring to the problem of deforestation and trafficking in wild animals, Sabrina Krief concludes: "This confronts us with all the inconsistencies of the current system, in particular on questions of animal welfare."