Deforestation is Causing Viruses in Ugandan Wildlife

Research conducted by the University of Stirling and the University of Wisconsin-Madison has revealed a concerning trend: animals in the forests of Uganda’s Budongo are turning to unconventional sources for sustenance, inadvertently exposing themselves to viruses, including one linked to COVID-19.

At the heart of this discovery lies the aftermath of tobacco farming, a practice that has inadvertently disrupted the Budongo’s ecosystem. Traditionally, the native wildlife thrived on the fruits of palm trees. However, the relentless harvesting of these trees for tobacco drying purposes has driven them to extinction, leaving the forest denizens scrambling for alternative food sources.

Bat guano now serves as food for Budongo’s inhabitants. Chimpanzees, antelopes, and monkeys have been observed partaking in this unorthodox feast, unaware of the viral dangers lurking within. Cameras set up by Dr. Pawel Fedurek captured the startling scenes, prompting a comprehensive six-year study to unravel the implications.

Lab analysis of the guano samples revealed a staggering array of viruses, with one in particular catching the researchers’ attention – a relative of the notorious SARS-CoV-2, the culprit behind the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the transmissibility of this specific betacoronavirus to humans remains uncertain, its presence underscores the potential for viral spillover from wildlife to human populations.

Professor Tony Goldberg of the University of Wisconsin-Madison said, “All 27 viruses were new to science, so we don’t know what effects they might have on humans or other animals. But one virus stood out because it was a relative of a virus everyone knows: SARS coronavirus 2.”

Dr. Fedurek underscores the broader implications of their research, highlighting how subtle deforestation driven by global demands can inadvertently expose wildlife – and by extension, humans – to viral risks. He said, “Our research illustrates how a subtle form of selective deforestation, ultimately driven by global demand for tobacco, can expose wildlife and, by extension, humans to viruses residing in bat guano, increasing virus spillover risk. Studies like ours shed light on the triggers and pathways of both wildlife-to-wildlife and wildlife-to-human virus transmission, ultimately improving our abilities to prevent outbreaks and pandemics in the future.”

Earthlings For Life by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• Indonesia’s Deforestation Crisis Intensifies Weather Disasters
• Deforestation Drops by 70% in Colombia’s Amazon
• Biden Pledges $500 Million to Combat Amazon Deforestation
• Replacing 20 Percent of World Beef Intake with Protein Alternatives Could Cut Deforestation in Half, New Research Finds
• We Need Root and Branch Change to Tackle Deforestation Head-On

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!