Gorilla Doctors

Drs. Fabrice & Lina raced to Virunga National Park on the 17th after trackers reported that Mahisho, an adult female mountain gorilla in Kabirizi group had an open abscess on her left breast. It took the intervention team 2.5 hours to hike to the group. Within another 35 minutes, she was successsfully anesthetized via dart and Drs. Fabrice & Lina provided treatment and medication while also collecting biological samples for analysis. They reversed the anesthesia and Mahisho rejoined her group.

Checking on her the next day, Dr. Fabrice reported that despite the silverback being very protective, he was able to observe Mahisho active, feeding, moving normally and always with her infant. We are hopeful for rapid healing. Wishing everyone a nice weekend. #keepinggorillashealthy #gorilladoctors #veterinaryintervention #ourpatientsarewild #veterinarymedicine #vetmed #mountaingorilla #gorillas #virunga #wildlifehealth #wildlifeconservation

1 day ago | [YT] | 50

Gorilla Doctors

Silverback Marambo of Muhoza group in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda sustained multiple injuries from an interaction with an unidentified lone silverback. Dr. Gaspard conducted a monitoring visit to assess Marambo's wounds - to his face, left elbow and left foot. While Marambo was clearly in pain (lagging behind group, not putting much weight on his foot) the wounds were clean with no sign of infection. Marambo will be closely monitored until his injuries are fully healed. #gorilladoctors #ourpatientsarewild #keepinggorillashealthy #montaingorilla #silverbackgorilla #gorillas #veterinarymedicine #vetmed #wildlifehealth #wildlifeconservation

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3 days ago | [YT] | 84

Gorilla Doctors

Always eat your veggies! 😂🦍 A mountain gorilla in Muhoza group, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, feeding (healthy appetite!) during a routine health check. #nomnomnom #gorilladoctors #gorillas #veterinarymedicine #wildlifehealth #mountaingorilla #snacktime #yum #midweekbreak

4 days ago | [YT] | 3

Gorilla Doctors

WE'RE HIRING - Deadline: 8 Jan - mHealth Systems Consultant - We are recruiting talented, mission-driven professionals to support a first-of-its-kind transboundary Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, & Response (PPR) program in Uganda, DR Congo & Rwanda. DETAILS: www.gorilladoctors.org/join-our-team/

4 days ago | [YT] | 56

Gorilla Doctors

Adult female mountain gorilla Turimaso of Susa group in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda was observed on December 8 with hair loss and brownish discoloration of her hair coat. When she showed similar symptoms 2 years ago, it was later confirmed that she had a high burden of gastrointestinal parasites, eventually requiring medical treatment from our veterinary team. At this time Turimaso has normal activity levels and appetite, so she will continue to be monitored in case an intervention is needed.

Pictured: Turimaso and her infant

6 days ago | [YT] | 86

Gorilla Doctors

We are on the Dean Obeidallah Show on SiriusXM Progress (channel 127) and the SiriusXM app tonight at 5:30 PM PT/8:30 PM ET. Hear our executive director, Dr. Kirsten talk about all things Gorilla Doctors!

1 week ago | [YT] | 32

Gorilla Doctors

On December 4, Dr. Gaspard visited Muhoza group in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda for a routine health check. After nearly 2 hours of observation time, he noted that several individuals appeared to have varying degrees of brownish hair coat discoloration but were otherwise healthy and going about their normal activities. The group will continue to closely monitored.

Pictured: juvenile Kundumurimo feeding on a bamboo shoot

1 week ago | [YT] | 92

Gorilla Doctors

Snare Removal Intervention: On November 15, we received an urgent call from Volcanoes National Park rangers: Umusingi, a 5-year-old juvenile in Igisha group, had been caught in a rope snare. His family freed him from the ground by chewing through part of the rope, but the part wrapped around his wrist was still cinched so tightly that it could have eventually cut off circulation and lead to the loss of his hand and/or a life-threatening infection.

Our team rushed into the forest. They anesthetized Umusingi, removed the snare, cleaned the wounds, and completed a full physical exam. When his anesthesia was reversed, he immediately reunited with his family. And then came the moment everyone held their breath for: before the team even hiked out, they saw him using both hands to feed!

A matter of minutes can change the fate of a gorilla. This is why rapid response, skilled veterinary care, and constant collaboration with our partners are essential to keeping mountain gorillas safe and thriving in the wild.

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1 week ago | [YT] | 104

Gorilla Doctors

Even the most routine health checks can change the course of a gorilla’s life.

During a recent routine health check on Igisha group in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, Dr. Adrien observed all 15 mountain gorillas and noticed subtle browning in the hair coats of a few individuals, a small change that can signal early gastrointestinal parasites. Because this was caught now, the group will be closely monitored in case an intervention is needed.

These visits also protect gorillas in other ways. While in the group’s feeding area, the team found and destroyed two active snares. Removing them ensures that no gorilla will be injured or maimed by traps left in the forest.

This is the quiet, everyday work that keeps mountain gorillas safe in their wild homes.

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1 week ago | [YT] | 110

Gorilla Doctors

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT This Giving Tuesday your support for Gorilla Doctors can go twice as far. The first $15,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to the Berson Murray Family! Your donation today supports rapid, expert veterinary care to eastern gorillas in need, keeping them healthy and wild in their forest homes. Thank you so much!

Donate: tinyurl.com/giving-tuesday-gd

📸: Skyler Bishop for Gorilla Doctors

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 101