Cardiac Disease in Gorillas

Question 1

What is the leading cause of death in captive gorillas

Answer 1

Cardiac disease. 70% of male gorillas under human care die of heart disease

Question 2

Leading cause of death in wild gorillas

Answer 2

physical injury
poaching
habitat loss/fragmentation

Question 3

Once veterinarians figured out heart disease was the cause of dying gorillas, why were they reluctant to anesthetize them for pacemakers or drawing blood?

Answer 3

Heart disease increases the risk of death during anesthesia

Question 4

When was the Great Ape Heart Project established and what is their goal

Answer 4

2010, based at Detroit Zoo. Goal is to create and maintain a centralized database

Question 5

How is the heart affected by cardiac disease

Answer 5

Fibrous heart tissue increases = unable to pump blood. May be connected to inflammation levels

Question 6

Describe the difference between wild and captive diets in gorillas

Answer 6

Wild- forage for high fiber plants
Captive- mainly biscuits eaten in under 30 minutes

Question 7

How does bacteria in the gut lead to heart disease

Answer 7

Gut health can directly affect other areas of the body
Certain bacteria in the gut can trigger other systems in the body like inflammatory or immune system

Question 8

How to treat cardiac disease in captive gorillas

Answer 8

Provide research data for prevention
Train for voluntary ultrasound
Slow progression with human heart meds