D. Report of (a) necropsy on Ruda and (b) outbreak of
respiratory disease
(a) Report on the necropsy of a female chimpanzee, Ruda,
at Sonso, Budongo Forest on 30 October 2001
Background
Melissa Emery who was undertaking a PhD at Sonso, Budongo Forest contacted me (Wayne Boardman —
WB) at 11 am on 29th October 2001 to report that a chimpanzee in the research group was lying face
down on the ground and was unable to move. WB immediately contacted Dr J. Okori of UWA who
thought that it would be good if WB and Drs Ssuna and Apell could attend to undertake a necropsy.
We contacted Mr Apophia of UWA by phone later that afternoon to seek permission to go which was
granted. There was not enough time in the circumstances to obtain written permission from UWA.
WB contacted Melissa Emery later that evening and she related that the chimpanzee was worse and
was being eaten by safari ants. The research assistants would stay with her overnight.
At 2 am on 30/10/01 the field assistants left the animal to return to camp. She was barely breathing
and unable to move. At 7 am that morning, they again visited her. She was found dead and several other
chimpanzees were calling nearby.
Professor Bwangamoi and Dr Ssebide Bernard Joseph from UWA were asked if they would like to
accompany us.
Necropsy (see Fig. D.1)
CSWCT necropsy worksheet
Report of necropsy on Ruda and outbreak of respiratory disease 253Animal Information.
Species: Chimpanzee Euthanased: NO
Animal ID: Ruda State: Fresh
Weight and Sex: est 25–28 kg: F Dissector: Drs Bwangamoi, Ssuna, Apell,
Age: c.30 years Ssebede and Boardman
Date & Time of from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm
Necropsy: on 30/10/01History/circumstances of death
The chimpanzee, Ruda, was found dead in Block 30 approximately 400 m from Sonso Camp. Her
history showed she had a 4 year old female offspring called Recho and a 10 year old male offspring
called Bob. Her appetite appeared to be good but she had begun to lose condition from August. She had
occasionally had diarrhoea but this could not be attributed to anything specific at the time. It was noted
that in the past, she had always been shy but on losing condition over the last two months she had come
much closer to the researchers.
At 10 am on 29/10/01 she was seen in ventral recumbency, twitching and unable to move significantly
when approached. She deteriorated further throughout the day. Safari ants were attacking her. She died
between 2 am and 7 am on 30/10/01. When she was found dead she was sprayed with insecticide spray
to discourage insects and covered in cloth which was kept wet to keep the cadaver as cool as possible.