Orangutans swabbed for Covid-19 in M’sian first

SANDAKAN – Alarmed by the spread of Covid-19 among the people of Sabah and across the country, wildlife authorities have decided against throwing caution to the wind, and have tested a native mammal species closest to humans and at risk of getting infected.

For the first time in Malaysia, the Covid-19 RTK-Ag test has been conducted on orangutans. The measure was taken due to the fact that their DNA is nearly the same as human DNA.

The Sabah Wildlife Department performed the tests on all 30 of its captive orangutans at two facilities – the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre here and the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Putatan.

Much to the relief of the department’s staff, all the results came back negative.

State Wildlife Department assistant director and veterinarian Dr Sen Nathan said the department took the initiative to test the primates as there have been Covid-19 cases among keepers and other workers operating at the two facilities, which house captive and semi-captive orangutans.

“We immediately initiated a full lockdown of the primate facility by testing all of the orangutans to make sure that they are free of infection,” he said.

“Testing for Covid-19 has been a vital tool in helping us through this pandemic, and it is similarly important for this orangutan population because the disease could prove vastly detrimental to their health and set back their rehabilitation.

“With all results coming back negative, this is a testament to the stringent care being carried out by our staff.”

The test was conducted by a team from the state Wildlife Department and Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) headed by Dr Rosa Sipangkui and Dr Nabila Sarkawi, who were assisted by Dr Mischellena Samanthan and Dr Umamaheswary Kalamanathan.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said he is thankful that all the orangutans were free of the virus.

He said the veterinary team has been directed to continue monitoring the orangutans closely for signs and symptoms of Covid-19, and repeat the tests on a scheduled basis.

This is the first time any orangutan has been tested using a Covid-19 antigen test in Malaysia. It is our utmost priority to ensure the health and well-being of the orangutans, (and that they) are given the best veterinary care possible.”

He thanked Datuk Sue Sheward, chairman of Orangutan Appeal UK (OAUK), for funding the Covid-19 test kits, pulse oximeters, and preventive medication for the orangutans and staff at Sepilok and WRU.

Meanwhile, Sheward explained that orangutan DNA is 96.4% identical to human DNA, which makes it vital to test the primates for the virus in order to protect the species.

“Similarly, the health and well-being of our staff is important as they have been working as per normal throughout the pandemic to provide the same high level of care they always have.

“The Appeal is thrilled to hear all tests on the orangutans have come back negative. The staff at Sepilok should be applauded for their continued commitment to the outstanding care they provide to the orangutans, especially during these difficult times,” she added.

This year, OAUK will support conservation activities to be conducted by the state Wildlife Department’s newly formed offshoot, the Endangered Species Conservation Unit, based in Lahad Datu, besides supporting WRU and the Sepilok Orangutan Appeal.

In March, four orangutans were among nine great apes at the San Diego Zoo in the United States to become the first non-human primates to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The other five apes were bonobos.

This was done after eight captive western lowland gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance were confirmed to be infected following PCR tests.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been documented reports of animals infected with the virus around the world.

“Most of these animals became infected after contact with people with Covid-19, including owners, caretakers, and others who were in close contact,” said the agency on its website.

In July, The Vibes reported of some anxiety at Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur, where eight staff were confirmed infected, including the keeper of the panda enclosure. The zoo’s officials have said the animals there are not at risk. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021