Chimps consuming bat feces may transmit lethal viruses to humans

In the heart of the Budongo Forest Reserve in Uganda, a shocking discovery was made - a behavior so bizarre that it left researchers astounded. Picture this: chimpanzees, known for their intelligence and social behaviors, were observed scooping up dry bat feces and consuming it. A sight never witnessed before in over 60 years of research in the region. The implications were ominous - exposure to potential bat-borne viruses.

Fast forward to today, and the revelations are chilling. A team of researchers, led by veterinary epidemiologist Tony Goldberg from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, has unveiled a groundbreaking study published in Communications Biology. The bat guano that the chimpanzees feasted on contained a myriad of previously unknown viruses, including a novel coronavirus closely related to the one responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

This discovery opens a new realm of understanding regarding the transmission of viruses from bats to other mammals, potentially including humans. Evolutionary biologist Pascal Gagneux from the University of California San Diego hails this finding as an eye-opener to a previously underestimated conduit for viral spread, labeling it as an alarming 'ecoquake.'

The research not only sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the transmission of deadly pathogens such as Ebola and anthrax, which have had devastating outbreaks following human interaction with infected primates, but also on the mysterious origins of coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 that have leaped from bats to humans through intermediary hosts.

The team's meticulous investigations, including placing cameras to monitor the feeding behavior of the chimpanzees and other animals on the bat guano, unveiled a surprising ecological chain reaction. From black and white colobus monkeys to red duiker antelopes, various species were drawn to this unconventional food source teeming with essential nutrients like sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. This dietary shift was attributed to the depletion of the raffia palm, forcing animals to seek alternative mineral-rich sources, inadvertently exposing themselves to a cocktail of novel viruses.

The analysis of the guano uncovered a treasure trove of 27 novel viruses, with the identification of a previously unknown coronavirus dubbed Buhirugu virus 1. The potential infectiousness of this virus to humans remains a mystery, awaiting further investigation. Nevertheless, the study underscores the intricate interplay between wildlife, habitat alteration, and viral spillover, painting a compelling narrative of ecological disruption with far-reaching consequences.

As we navigate the complex web of interconnections in our natural world, this research serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance we must strive to maintain. The Budongo Forest saga unravels a cautionary tale of how human encroachment and resource exploitation can inadvertently pave the way for the emergence of novel pathogens, underscoring the urgency of preserving our ecosystems and respecting the boundaries of wildlife habitats.

In the intricate dance of life and disease transmission, every action carries weight, every interaction ripples through the fabric of existence. The story of the chimpanzees and the bat guano heralds a compelling chapter in the ongoing saga of scientific discovery, urging us to delve deeper into the mysteries of zoonotic diseases and the hidden pathways that viruses traverse in their quest for survival and adaptation.

Source: [Science Article](https://www.science.org/content/article/forced-eat-bat-feces-chimps-could-spread-deadly-viruses-humans)