The Gorilla Doctors fear for the health and safety of the critically endangered mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo as rebels clash with the Congolese army in the park's gorilla sector. CNDP rebels, part of the same group that attacked the park in 2007 and 2008, invaded the sector on May 8. Intense fighting and shelling began on May 10 and has continued for weeks, preventing the national park rangers and Gorilla Doctors from monitoring the park's estimated 200 mountain gorillas.  Read More.

Uganda Head Field Veterinarian Dr. Fred Nizeyimana spent the month of April training at the California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) at UC Davis. In his latest blog, Dr. Fred talks about his experiences:  

"I arrived at the Sacramento airport in California on the night of April 1 after a long flight from Entebbe, Uganda, via Amsterdam and Detroit. It was my first time traveling so far and visiting the USA. The flight was an experience filled with breath-taking views. I kept reflecting on how far away Bwindi and the Virunga Mountains were. My biological clock was switched 10 hours backwards! However, the month spent in Davis was worth the long journey and jet lag." Read More 

Gorilla Doctors relies on support from the staff of the national parks where we work to carry out our essential mission of monitoring gorilla health and intervening when serious health problems arise. Elisabeth Nyirakaragire, Volcanoes National Park's Veterinary Warden, has been our most dedicated helper, assisting nearly every Gorilla Doctor who has worked for the organization over the last 25 years. 

Elisabeth first saw gorillas as student on a school trip in 1986 and after seeing their human-like appearance, decided to dedicate her life to their conservation. She joined the Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks in 1987 as a veterinary assistant and began training under Dr. Jim Foster, the first Gorilla Doctor. Two and half decades later, she still hasn't lost her enthusiasm for working with gorillas. Dr. Dawn writes about Elisabeth's experiences with the Gorilla Doctors in her latest blog.  

Recent events, including the death of a mountain gorilla infant by snare and the takeover of Virunga National Park's gorilla sector by rebels, remind us of the fragile status of mountain gorillas in Africa. The work of Gorilla Doctors to save these animals remains as critical as ever.  

To meet the challenge, the Gorilla Doctors have created three new field veterinarian positions--filled by Dr. Hameed, Dr. Martin, and Dr. Noel--and facilitated advanced training for our other veterinarians.

Your participation as a member of the Gorilla Doctors team is essential for our success. Would you consider making a personally significant gift of $100, $500, $1,000, or more today? A contribution of any amount will go directly and immediately to ensuring that our veterinary team can respond to calls for life-saving care for gorillas in the wild and orphans in captivity: medical supplies, antibiotics, and fuel for our vehicles are in critical need.  

Donations can be made through our secure website. We are honored and humbled by your continued support--thank you!

Mountain Gorilla Cirque du Soleil

Every visit to the gorillas promises the chance to observe something new and different, but Dr. Dawn's recent trip to monitor Kwitonda group in Volcanoes National Park was spectacular. The adults, juveniles, and infants put on acrobatic displays worthy of Cirque du Soleil. Go to the Gorilla Doctors blog to see more photos and videos.

Last month, Gorilla Doctors fan Lucas Hannover delivered new HTC Android Smartphones to our African veterinarians on behalf of the charity Benefiz e.V., an organization of German broadcast journalists dedicated to supporting projects in the areas where they have reported. The phones are equipped with cameras, HD video, and GPS, which the Gorilla Doctors can use to tag photos with GPS locations and track routes through the forest.

"We tend to support community-based livelihood projects around the world, but we felt that the conservation of mountain gorillas greatly supports livelihood opportunities for the villages around gorilla areas," says Lucas. "We think that the Gorilla Doctors, with their hands-on approach to the conservation of these animals, would be a perfect group to support."

Lucas is currently in Germany to raise more funds for the purchase of veterinary equipment for the Gorilla Doctors.

Thanks so much for your support Lucas--we hope to see you again soon!