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About Us
The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project's Gorilla Doctors are dedicated to saving the mountain gorilla species one patient at a time. We are the only group providing wild mountain gorillas with direct, hands-on care.
MGVP partners with the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center to advance One Health strategies for mountain gorilla conservation. Research has proven that by intervening to save sick and injured gorillas, the Gorilla Doctors have helped the overall mountain gorilla population to increase.
To learn more about us, please visit our website and sign up for our blog.
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As a 501(c)3 non-profit, we rely on donations from people like you to fund our hard work. Help us to protect these magnificent, critically endangered primates by making a donation.
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Gorilla Doctors News April
We have lots of news to report this month, beginning with the publication of a study making a connection between a human disease and the deaths of two mountain gorillas. In April, the Gorilla Doctors succeeded in integrating the 4 mountain gorilla orphans in DRC and in helping care for a new Grauer's gorilla orphan. Read about all this and more below.
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Study Links Human Virus to Gorilla Deaths
For the first time, a virus that causes respiratory disease in humans has been linked to the deaths of wild mountain gorillas, reports a team of researchers in the U.S. and Africa. The finding confirms that serious diseases can pass from people to these endangered animals.
The researchers are from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project; the Wildlife Health Center at the University of California, Davis; the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University; and the Rwanda Development Board. Their study, which reports the 2009 deaths of two mountain gorilla that were infected with a human virus, was published in the April edition of the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More
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Making a Mountain Gorilla Orphan Family Part III
The Gorilla Doctors and Virunga National Park staff have been working slowly but surely to integrate the only 4 captive mountain gorillas on earth into a family unit. As a family, the gorillas have a much better chance of surviving in wild should they be released. In mid-May, Kaboko, the male gorilla, was brought into the mix with the 3 females, Maisha, Ndeze, and Ndakasi. Maisha played her role as protector of the 2 young orphans perfectly. She kept the youngsters calm and made sure Kaboko didn't play too rough. At the end of the month, everyone felt it was time to allow the gorillas out into their forest enclosure. The gorillas reveled in their freedom to explore the lush vegetation. Read More
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Gorilla Doctors Assist with the Confiscation of Grauer's Orphan Lubutu
In late March we received word that another male Grauer's gorilla was confiscated in Lubutu, DR Congo, by the Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN). Maiko National Park Chief Park Warden Paulin Ngobobo has been working on this confiscation and breaking up the poacher network in that area since October. Gorilla Doctor Eddy Kambale traveled to Lubutu to examine the orphan, who was being looked after by ICCN caregivers. The orphan, named Lubutu, appeared to be 1.5 years old, was extremely malnourished, and suffering from hair loss and mental trauma. After being given milk, water, and fruit Lubutu began improving. Read More
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See New Photos of Bwindi's Mountain Gorillas
MGVP Communication Officer Molly Feltner traveled with Dr. Fred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in July to photograph Bwindi's mountain gorillas. Together she and Dr. Fred trekked to see Nshongi and Mishaya groups. She managed to capture great images of Nshongi and Mishaya plus a video of Mishaya's 3 infants playing.
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Thanks to Donors, MGVP Purchases New Truck
Last December, friend of MGVP Drew Nichol organized a fundraiser to buy a new land cruiser for our Congolese Gorilla Doctors, Eddy and Jacques. Big thanks go to generous donors Drew Nichol, his business partner Rob Beckner, and Patsy and Cleve Moler. We would not have this truck without you. After much paperwork, we finally were able to purchase the truck from a dealership in Kigali, Rwanda. We hope to drive it off the lot as soon as possible.
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Dr. Noel Visits U.S. to Learn about Zoo Medicine
 This past winter, Dr. Noel was able to travel to the U.S. for the first time to spend 6 weeks at zoos learning about zoo medicine. Dr. Noel reports: This year from January 16 to February 21, I traveled to the U.S. for the first time. I came to the country for the purpose of gaining veterinary clinical experience, learning more advanced laboratory techniques at the Indianapolis and Maryland Zoos, working with the MGVP technician in Maryland, and giving presentations about MGVP at both institutions - my time there was busy. Read More.
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Capture the Flag and Ice Cream for Gorillas
This month's donor story comes out of Pacifica, California: For the past two years, Tony Hartman, third-grade teacher at Ortega Elementary and gorilla aficionado, has organized an annual school fundraiser to benefit MGVP. This year, 107 students participated in an event that included capture the flag and ice cream sundaes. When asked why he does it, Hartman said: "I believe that holding an annual fundraising event not only raises awareness of the mountain gorillas' plight, but encourages children to get directly involved in doing something positive for our world while building community here at home. Plus it gives me a chance to run around with kids and eat ice cream!" Many thanks to Tony and everyone at Ortega Elementary!
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Dr. Jan Checks Up On the Hirwa Twins
 The 12-week-old twins of Kabatwa in Hirwa group are doing well. Dr. Jan reports: On March 31 I visited Hirwa group for a routine health check. We found the group at 8:20 am in the area called Rwebeya. They were not far from their night nests, enjoying the sun, and eating the celery and vines that surrounded them. I was with Safari, the main tracker for this group. New mother of twins Kabatwa came and sat just in front of tracker Safari and I and we got a good look at both babies. The twins were both strong, clinging well and both were seen nursing contentedly.
See photos and a video on the Gorilla Doctors' blog.
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Job Opening: Regional Field Veterinarian
 The Gorilla Doctors are hiring a regional field veterinarian based in Rwanda, with frequent travel to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Applicants should have experience with great apes, primate medicine, and working in foreign countries. Demonstrated experience in the areas of veterinary research and pathology is preferred. To learn more about this opening and how to apply, read the advertisement on the Gorilla Doctors' blog.
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