Research Spotlight: Harmony Yersin

BCFS welcomes another Master’s student to the Waibira and Sonso communities: Harmony Yersin, from the University of Neuchâtel. Here is a description of her research:

“The effect of snare injuries on infant care and parasite infection in wild female chimpanzees”

In recent years, human population near habitats where wild chimpanzees live have been increasing. One consequence is the illegal setting of snares hidden in the forests to catch animals. The chimpanzees are not targeted by poachers, but they are sometimes accidentally caught in the snares. Most survive, but they will suffer lifelong consequences. It is estimated that one third of chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, Uganda, suffer from health problems due to snare injuries.

Various studies have already been conducted on the problem of snaring in Budongo Forest. In this study, I will focus on the relation between snare injuries and female reproductive success by focussing on three aspects that have received comparably little attention so far: (a) behavioural differences in infant care of snared and healthy mothers, (b) differences in intestinal parasite load of snared and healthy mothers and (c) predisposition of contracting human diseases.