| dc.description.abstract | Approximately 2000 black and white Angolan Colobus, (Colobus angolensis palliatus)
remain in Kenya, Kwale District. The arboreal primate species is threatened by
unchecked deforestation for private development currently ongoing in Kwale District,
and also countrywide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal
parasites in C. angolensis in Diani in relation to age, sex and habitat
disturbance. Parasites of C. angolensis were compared to those of C. Guereza in Kitale
and other non-human primates in Diani. It was viewed as important to establish the
,gastro-intestinal parasitic fauna of the Angolan Colobus and other Diani non-human
primates in the interests of public health, and also to determine whether habitat change
influences Colobus parasite patterns. The study was undertaken in collaboration with the
Colobus Trust, an organization dedicated to conserving the Angolan Colobus.
The primary study area was Diani Beach, Kwale District. The second area of study (for
the sampling of C. Guereza) was located near Kitale town, TransNzoia District. Faecal
samples were collected from several C. angolensis troops with comparative samples
collected from Guereza Colobus in Kitale an,d non-human primates in Diani. Samples
were processed using the Formol-Ether concentration technique, the McMaster's
floatation technique and the Harada-Mori larval culture technique. Vegetation transects
were conducted through Angolan Colobus troop territories to assess the vegetation
integrity; three Colobus troops (from areas of varying integrity) were followed to gather
behavioural and other data regarding the troops' environment. Angolan Colobus faecal
samples had Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica cysts, and eggs of Trichuris spp,
Strongyloides spp and Enterobius vermicularis nematode species. Guereza Colobus
faecal samples exhibited only E. coli and E. histolytica cysts. Balantidium coli cysts were
also found, but only in the Baboon samples. Age and sex showed no influence on parasite
prevalence or intensity. E. coli and E. histolytica prevalence was similar in the Angolan
and Guereza Colobus and other primates sampled, whereas intensities of Trichuris and
Strongyloides eggs were highest in Baboons. Thirteen out of 29 of the Colobus samples
from the Harada-Mori larval culture were positive for Strongyloides species. There was
less than 10% variation in the prevalence of parasitic fauna found between Angolan
Colobus troops from varying habitat types.
Colobus angolensis and C. Guereza troops showed similar activity patterns throughout
the day, with variations occurring in feeding (p < 0.05) and moving (p < 0.005) patterns
and a significant difference found between mean height above ground (p < 0.01), with C.
Guereza maintaining a higher height above ground.
Ground contact was viewed as the main mode of parasitic infection in the Angolan
Colobus. The minimal influence of habitat on parasite prevalence suggests that factors
alternative to forest degradation may be responsible for increased ground contact in C.
angolensis. However diminishing forest cover has negative implications for public health
in Diani, bringing human and primate populations into closer proximity and increasing
the potential for zoonotic infections. Further observations may reveal more about factors
potentially facilitating parasite infection. A policy aimed at preserving the Diani forest
and raising awareness to the impacts of deforestation will invariably contribute towards
the conservation of Angolan Colobus in Kenya. | en |
