In today’s episode, we discuss how to protect the great apes from succumbing to the current SARS-CoV-2 virus and what that means for how we support the local, often very poor communities in and around these populations of primates. To help me understand this I spoke with Dr Fabian Leendertz, head of the Leendertz Lab. His team specialises in researching sources and reservoirs of microorganisms with zoonotic potential, particularly in central Africa. This makes him the perfect person to shed light on the situation. I recorded this a few weeks back, but as I release this interview today there is news that some reserves are planning on re-opening, allowing tourism around great apes to start again. We will hear in this show what risk is associated with that.

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Leendertz Lab: https://www.leendertz-lab.org/