|
In her second blog, Dr. Dawn tells the story of the Inshuti, a silverback in Volcanoes National Park who has had a rough few months: "It's been a difficult 2012 thus far for Inshuti, a silverback gorilla in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Meaning "friend" in Kinyarwanda, Inshuti is considered one of the largest and most aggressive silverbacks within the Karisoke research groups, and he has endured his share of drama. Over the years, Inshuti has survived attacks from other gorillas, a suspected fall, and a respiratory infection." Read More
Back to Top |
|
In early March, veterinary ophthalmologists Drs. David Ramsey and Rick Quinn traveled to Rwanda to conduct a training workshop with the Gorilla Doctors. Dr. Ramsey owns and operates The Animal Ophthalmology Center in Williamston, Michigan, and Dr. Quinn practices at the Veterinary Eye Specialists of London, Ontario, and is an adjunct professor of ophthalmology at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Ramsey recounts his experience in the Gorilla Doctors blog.
Back to Top |
|
To reduce the risk of disease transmission between people and gorillas, the Gorilla Doctors facilitate annual health screenings and follow-up care for those who come in contact with the gorillas the most -- the people who work in the national parks. Each year, hundreds of rangers, trackers, researchers, and others who work in the parks participate in our Gorilla Conservation Employee Health Program (GCEHP). Read More
Back to Top |
As always, we are grateful to our generous friends who offer their expertise and donate equipment to help the Gorilla Doctors expand their knowledge and toolbox. Last month, Bärbel Köhler, the Business Development Manager for Abaxis, a supplier of veterinary diagnostic equipment, visited our offices in Musanze, Rwanda, to deliver $30,000 worth of donations to the Gorilla Doctors.
Abaxis donated a VetScan™ VS2 Blood Chemistry Analyzer and a VetScan™ i-STAT 1-equipment that will allow the Gorilla Doctors to quickly analyze blood samples for different diseases and irregularities, enabling them to diagnosis and treat certain health problems faster. In addition, Bärbel brought drugs, syringes, catheters, surgical equipment, and other supplies given to her by friends and colleagues in Germany.
"I visited MGVP in Rwanda last year and realized that my company's products were perfect for the Gorilla Doctors," says Bärbel. "The veterinarians work under very hard conditions but they do a fantastic job."
Back to Top
|
If you're haven't yet "liked" the Gorilla Doctors Facebook page, we encourage you to check it out for the most up-to-date Gorilla Doctors reports. Every weekday we post updates and photos about the veterinarians' routine health checks, orphan updates, intervention reports, and links to stories from other organizations about gorilla conservation and the national parks. This month, for example, you can see the latest photos of the Hirwa twins and a brand new baby in the Titus family, read Dr. Jean-Felix's reports about Agashya and Karisimbi groups, and read an article about the orphans' interactions with a chimp family at the Senkwekwe Center.
Back to Top
|
