What Illnesses Do Gorillas Suffer from?
Gorillas can get infected with most diseases suffered by humans. For this
reason it is very important that tourists keep as far away from the animals
as possible. In the distribution range of the mountain gorillas, the climate
is wet and cold, which the gorillas are not optimally adapted to. Respiratory
tract diseases, particularly pneumonia, are the most frequent cause of
death in mountain gorillas.
Gorillas only rarely have teeth cavities. Mountain gorillas in particular
almost never suffer from it, as their food contains very little fruit
and hence little sugar. Instead, in the mountain gorillas bad tartar leads
to periodontitis, dissolving of the jaw bones and finally to the loss
of teeth.
Most free-ranging gorillas have parasites, mainly intestinal parasites
(protozoans or worms). Some of these parasites affect humans and gorillas
equally, others specialize in gorillas. Various malaria parasites also
affect gorillas, but usually they are different species than those that
affect humans.
Many gorillas hurt themselves when they get entangled in a snare with
a hand or foot. The wound can get infected and the gorilla may even die
from this injury.
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