Protein Deficiency in a Colony of Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla)

A colony of 10 western lowland gorillas in Gabon experienced a syndrome of alopecia and weight loss over 3 years, attributed to dietary protein deficiency. Nine gorillas were affected, with a 4-year-old female dying from acute gastroenteritis caused by Shigella flexneri. Symptoms included chronic alopecia, hair discoloration, failure to thrive, and weight loss, linked to hypoalbuminemia and anemia. Tests indicated a protein or amino acid deficiency, and dietary protein supplementation improved conditions in all but one 12-year-old male, who required anabolic steroids. The study suggested that captive gorillas might need higher protein intake due to the lack of commensal gastrointestinal ciliates.