African Lions and Zoonotic Diseases: Implications for Commercial Lion Farms in South Africa
African lions (<i>Panthera leo</i>) are bred in captivity on commercial farms across South Africa and often have close contact with farm staff, tourists, and other industry workers. As transmission of zoonotic diseases occurs through close proximity between wildlife and humans, these com...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1692 |
| _version_ | 1797553235638091776 |
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| author | Jennah Green Catherine Jakins Eyob Asfaw Nicholas Bruschi Abbie Parker Louise de Waal Neil D’Cruze |
| author_facet | Jennah Green Catherine Jakins Eyob Asfaw Nicholas Bruschi Abbie Parker Louise de Waal Neil D’Cruze |
| author_sort | Jennah Green |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | African lions (<i>Panthera leo</i>) are bred in captivity on commercial farms across South Africa and often have close contact with farm staff, tourists, and other industry workers. As transmission of zoonotic diseases occurs through close proximity between wildlife and humans, these commercial captive breeding operations pose a potential risk to thousands of captive lions and to public health. An understanding of pathogens known to affect lions is needed to effectively assess the risk of disease emergence and transmission within the industry. Here, we conduct a systematic search of the academic literature, identifying 148 peer-reviewed studies, to summarize the range of pathogens and parasites known to affect African lions. A total of 63 pathogenic organisms were recorded, belonging to 35 genera across 30 taxonomic families. Over half were parasites (35, 56%), followed by viruses (17, 27%) and bacteria (11, 17%). A number of novel pathogens representing unidentified and undescribed species were also reported. Among the pathogenic inventory are species that can be transmitted from lions to other species, including humans. In addition, 83 clinical symptoms and diseases associated with these pathogens were identified. Given the risks posed by infectious diseases, this research highlights the potential public health risks associated with the captive breeding industry. We recommend that relevant authorities take imminent action to help prevent and manage the risks posed by zoonotic pathogens on lion farms. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:12:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-56272d494b1e4849a948a6f6179fb728 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:12:30Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-56272d494b1e4849a948a6f6179fb7282023-11-20T14:17:30ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-09-01109169210.3390/ani10091692African Lions and Zoonotic Diseases: Implications for Commercial Lion Farms in South AfricaJennah Green0Catherine Jakins1Eyob Asfaw2Nicholas Bruschi3Abbie Parker4Louise de Waal5Neil D’Cruze6World Animal Protection 222 Gray’s Inn Rd., London WC1X 8HB, UKBlood Lion NPC, P.O. Box 1548, Kloof 3640, South AfricaWorld Animal Protection 222 Gray’s Inn Rd., London WC1X 8HB, UKWorld Animal Protection 222 Gray’s Inn Rd., London WC1X 8HB, UKWorld Animal Protection 222 Gray’s Inn Rd., London WC1X 8HB, UKBlood Lion NPC, P.O. Box 1548, Kloof 3640, South AfricaWorld Animal Protection 222 Gray’s Inn Rd., London WC1X 8HB, UKAfrican lions (<i>Panthera leo</i>) are bred in captivity on commercial farms across South Africa and often have close contact with farm staff, tourists, and other industry workers. As transmission of zoonotic diseases occurs through close proximity between wildlife and humans, these commercial captive breeding operations pose a potential risk to thousands of captive lions and to public health. An understanding of pathogens known to affect lions is needed to effectively assess the risk of disease emergence and transmission within the industry. Here, we conduct a systematic search of the academic literature, identifying 148 peer-reviewed studies, to summarize the range of pathogens and parasites known to affect African lions. A total of 63 pathogenic organisms were recorded, belonging to 35 genera across 30 taxonomic families. Over half were parasites (35, 56%), followed by viruses (17, 27%) and bacteria (11, 17%). A number of novel pathogens representing unidentified and undescribed species were also reported. Among the pathogenic inventory are species that can be transmitted from lions to other species, including humans. In addition, 83 clinical symptoms and diseases associated with these pathogens were identified. Given the risks posed by infectious diseases, this research highlights the potential public health risks associated with the captive breeding industry. We recommend that relevant authorities take imminent action to help prevent and manage the risks posed by zoonotic pathogens on lion farms.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1692zoonotic disease<i>Panthera leo</i>human healthbiosecuritywildlife farmingwildlife trade |
| spellingShingle | Jennah Green Catherine Jakins Eyob Asfaw Nicholas Bruschi Abbie Parker Louise de Waal Neil D’Cruze African Lions and Zoonotic Diseases: Implications for Commercial Lion Farms in South Africa Animals zoonotic disease <i>Panthera leo</i> human health biosecurity wildlife farming wildlife trade |
| title | African Lions and Zoonotic Diseases: Implications for Commercial Lion Farms in South Africa |
| title_full | African Lions and Zoonotic Diseases: Implications for Commercial Lion Farms in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | African Lions and Zoonotic Diseases: Implications for Commercial Lion Farms in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | African Lions and Zoonotic Diseases: Implications for Commercial Lion Farms in South Africa |
| title_short | African Lions and Zoonotic Diseases: Implications for Commercial Lion Farms in South Africa |
| title_sort | african lions and zoonotic diseases implications for commercial lion farms in south africa |
| topic | zoonotic disease <i>Panthera leo</i> human health biosecurity wildlife farming wildlife trade |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/9/1692 |
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