Complete rectal prolapse in wild anubis baboons (Papio anubis)

Abstract

Rectal prolapse is classified as either incomplete, which involves only the rectal mucosa, or complete, in which the full thickness of the rectum prolapses through the anus. 1 Rectal prolapse can result from various factors, including straining related to cystitis, chronic coughing, parasites and defecation disorders due to environmental or social distress. 1,2 Rectal prolapse has been observed more often in captive primates 3-7 than in wild primates. Four wild chacma baboons (P. ursinus) that had fed extensively on sour fig/ice plant (Carpobrotus spp.)and three wild mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) that fed on Malabar spinach (Basella alba) developed rectal prolapses. In all but one (a gorilla), they spontaneously resolved within 1-2 days (L. Barrett and S.P. Henzi, pers. comm.). 2 Here, we report rectal prolapses in two wild anubis baboons (P. anubis) related to provisioning with maize, and capture.

Capture, immobilization, and Global Positioning System collaring of olive baboons (Papio anubis) and vervets (Chlorocebus pygerythrus): Lessons learned and suggested best practices

“…One of the first baboons we trapped developed a prolapsed rectum, which we believe resulted from a combination of heavy consumption of maize and distress as the baboon evaded us in the cage trap during our initial attempts to sedate her with a syringe (Taniguchi, Isbell, Bidner, & Matsumoto‐Oda, ). When we switched to a blowpipe, she was immobilized quickly, and we were then able to reposition her rectum.…”

“…In a different study at our field site, another female baboon was observed with a prolapsed rectum after feeding heavily on maize used as bait for trapping, but she was not trapped. A highly limited diet with foods low in water content and high in fiber, as is found in maize, can cause rectal prolapses (Taniguchi et al, ). Unexpected situations also arose that required us to make quick decisions or judgment calls.…”