Analysis of urine from free-ranging mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) for normal physiologic values

Voided urine samples were collected from apparently healthy free-living mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) and analyzed for normal physiologic values. Mountain gorillas were found to have a high urinary pH (x = 8.45) and low specific gravity (x = 1.013). Commercial dipsticks appear to be unreliable for the measurement of specific gravity and leukocytes. The establishment of urinary reference intervals should aid in the noninvasive detection of certain diseases in the mountain gorilla and assist with prompt and effective decisions regarding the immobilization and treatment of individual gorillas.