Uganda Cave Reveals Bat-Eating Animal Network

In western Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park, researchers have uncovered a significant network of animals consuming bats infected with the Marburg virus. Observations made using camera traps at "Python Cave" have provided the first concrete evidence of a dynamic, multispecies exposure network operating at a documented Marburg virus location.

This discovery is considered by scientists to be a pivotal insight into understanding the mechanisms of zoonotic spillover. Over a five-month period from February to June of the previous year, the research team recorded no fewer than 14 distinct vertebrate species engaging in this behavior at the cave entrance.

The visiting species included formidable predators such as leopards, various primate types, birds of prey, and monitor lizards, all feeding on the bats. This finding highlights a previously unobserved facet of potential disease transmission routes.