Gorilla Doctors
Gorilla Doctors provides medical care to ill and injured gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Rwanda’s Park National des Volcans and the DRC’s Virunga National Park. Veterinarians, rangers, guides and conservationists monitor each gorilla’s health, note any problems and intervene in emergencies. Gorillas are the only wild great apes receiving regular veterinary care. This work has helped save the species from extinction, even contributing to a baby boom. When needed, orphan gorillas have a home at Senkelwene Sanctuary in Virunga. A recent count tallied 1,063 individuals. This success story shows how dedicated people can improve the survival of an endangered species, one that shares 97 percent of our DNA.