Like humans, many apes are social beings who live in groups and interact closely with each other. The health of any group is closely tied to the health of individuals within that group, as well as to the size of the group. The settings in which apes live—be they natural forested habitat, sanctuaries or rehabilitation centers in their range countries, or zoos and sanctuaries elsewhere in the world—also come with unique sets of health-related risks and challenges.
Viewed through a conservation lens, disease represents a major threat to the survival of apes and other species that are threatened with extinction. Indeed, infectious disease is often listed among the principal threats to ape conservation, along with habitat loss and hunting, which can also expose apes to health threats.
The Introduction to Section 1 provides an overview of the major threat that disease and health issues represent to the survival of apes and other species, both in their natural habitats and in captivity. It acknowledges that the recent COVID-19 pandemic has lent a sense of urgency to much of this research and debate.