Facial dysplasia in wild forest olive baboons (Papio anubis) in Sebitoli, Kibale National Park, Uganda: Use of camera traps to detect health defects.

Abstract

Primate populations are in decline, mainly affected by agriculture leading to habitat loss, fragmentation but also chemical pollution. Kibale National Park (Uganda), Sebitoli forest, surrounded by tea and crop fields, is the home range of chimpanzees presenting congenital facial dysplasia. This study aimed to identify to what extent the same phenotypical features are observed in baboons (Papio anubis) of this area. A total of 25390 clips recorded by 14 camera traps between January 2017 and April 2018 were analyzed. We identified 30 immature and adult baboons of both sexes with nose and lip deformities. They were more frequently observed in the northwestern part of the area. A possible effect of pesticides used in crops at the border of their habitat is suspected to alter the embryonic development. This study emphasizes the importance of non-invasive methods to detect health problems in wild primates that can act as sentinels for human health.