Close encounters between people and human-accustomed great apes are common aspects of ecotourism and research in Africa. These contacts, however, present the risk of transmission of diseases like tuberculosis from humans to great apes. Understanding the extent of the risk is critical. Minnesota Zoo associate veterinarian Dr. Tiffany Wolf received a Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant to develop an accurate and noninvasive diagnostic test to detect tuberculosis infection in great apes. She travelled to Uganda and Kenya to validate this test in a population of free-ranging chimpanzees and in rehabilitated chimpanzees managed by African sanctuaries.
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