3 apes die at Jacksonville Zoo after contagious infection sweeps through Primate Forest

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens of Florida is mourning the loss of three apes after a highly contagious bacterial infection spread through some of its monkey population.

The zoo reported the first death, that of a 35-year-old female gorilla named Bulera, on Aug. 23, followed by the deaths of bonobo brothers Jumanji and Jenga on Aug. 26. All three animals died as a result of shigellosis, an infection spread via the Shigella bacteria, the zoo said in a statement.

Jacksonville Zoo has been battling the spread of the Shigella bacteria since Bulera's unexpected death, saying other animals in the Primate Forest section of the zoo showing symptoms of Shigella infection has prompted a quarantine and treatment response.

"Losing an animal is never easy, and Bulera’s loss will be deeply felt. We ask for your thoughts, love and support during this difficult time," the zoo said in its Aug. 23 statement, later sharing that the community was also "deeply saddened" by the loss of the "beloved brother bonobos" that died the following week.

Who were Bulera, Jumanji and Jenga?

Bulera, a western lowland gorilla, was born at Lincoln Park Zoo in Illinois in 1989 and was hand-reared by humans due to an injury she sustained as a baby, Jacksonville Zoo said in her bio.

She and her daughter Madini, joined Jacksonville Zoo and Garden in 2009, where Bulera later gave birth to her son George in 2015. She raised George alongside Madini, who was also raising her own daughter Patty, creating a multi-generational gorilla troop.

In 2019, Bulera became a foster mother to baby Gandai whose mother couldn't raise her, hurting her alongside zoo staff.

Jumanji and Jenga were a specific species of great ape called bonobos. According to the World Wildlife Fund, they look similar to chimpanzees and similarly share 98.7% of their DNA with humans. Bonobos are usually a bit smaller, leaner, and darker than chimpanzees and their society tends to be more peaceful and matriarchal.

The Jacksonville Zoo said Jumanji was born in 1996 at San Diego Zoo Safari Park before being moved to Jacksonville with his parents and sister in 2008. Described as a "sweet and gentle soul" who was "laid back" and friendly to other bonobos, the zoo noted his "sweet" support of little brother Jenga after the passing of their mother in 2018.

Jenga was born at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in June 2011, marking the first bonobo birth witnessed by the care team because it happened during the day versus overnight. The zoo's statement described Jenga as a "goofball" who loved to play and "cause a little mischief."

What is shigella and how is it spread?

Shigella is a bacteria that causes shigellosis, an infection that affects the digestive system and can lead to diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, and other complications.

According to the CDC, Shigella is easily spread between animals or people and can be spread via contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects. Ingesting just a small amount of Shigella germs can cause illness. People with a Shigella infection can shed the bacteria in their stool for up to two weeks after symptoms have gone away. 

Some of the most common ways Shigella is spread, according to the CDC, include:

• Touching food or your mouth after getting Shigella germs on your hands.
  • This is most likely to happen via touching surfaces contaminated with germs from waste from a sick person or animal.
• Eating food that was prepared by someone who has a Shigella infection.
  • Foods that are consumed raw are more likely to be contaminated with Shigella germs.
  • Shigella germs can also get on fruits and vegetables if the fields where they grow are contaminated with poop containing the germ.
• Swallowing contaminated water, including accidental ingestion such as from lake or river water while swimming.
• Direct contact with contaminated poop particles during sexual contact or other circumstances.

How did Shigella spread at the zoo and how is it being treated?

According to the Jacksonville Zoo, staff may never know the exact source of the infection, though the bacteria "may have come from an asymptomatic ape or, though unlikely, a staff member."

The bacteria is highly contagious and typically spreads through feces, food or water and can lie dormant in asymptomatic carriers. Because of this, it was able to spread despite quarantining, sanitation, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), the zoo said.

Officials also said it is possible one of the apes was an asymptomatic chronic carrier of the bacteria and began to shed it in shared spaces within the enclosure. It also noted that the infection started with its gorillas but spread to its apes due to the cross-use of timesharing spaces.

While shigellosis tends to be milder in humans, it can be more severe in apes as they may have a harder time fighting off the bacteria, according to the zoo. Those with underlying symptoms, such as Jumanji and Jenga's existing heart conditions, can make them more susceptible to more serious illness.

The zoo explained that because apes are more susceptible to severe gastrointestinal infections that can spread to other organs, it is harder to eradicate the infection amongst its population and periods of relapse and improvement are common. Veterinary staff are providing ongoing care via fluids and antibiotics and, in more severe cases, providing these treatments through IVs.

Shigellosis symptoms in humans

According to the CDC, people with shigellosis usually start experiencing symptoms 1 to 2 days after contact with the germ, though some people will not have any symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Diarrhea that can be bloody or prolonged (lasting more than 3 days)
• Fever
• Stomach pain, cramping and tenderness
• Feeling the need to pass stool (poop) even when the bowels are empty
• Dehydration

Symptoms usually last 5 to 7 days, but some people may experience symptoms anywhere from a few days to 4 or more weeks. Antibiotics may be used to treat symptoms of the infection.