Deep within the emerald canopies of Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a tale of resilience, hope, and interspecies bonds unfolds. At the heart of this story is Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, a visionary conservationist whose life's work has redefined the landscape of mountain gorilla preservation. Thirty years ago, her journey began, sparking a conservation revolution that extends far beyond Uganda's borders.
In the summer of 1994, a young Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka, then a veterinary student, ventured from Kampala's urban bustle to the secluded Bwindi rainforest. Her mission: to witness the majestic mountain gorillas, symbols of Uganda’s rich biodiversity. An unexpected illness initially confined her to base camp, intensifying her yearning for the wild.
Upon finally entering the forest, she was enveloped by nature's symphony—gurgling waterfalls, bird calls, and chimpanzee hoots. Yet, the elusive gorillas remained hidden. Then, like a living statue, the silverback Kacupira emerged. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka recalls, “When I got to see Kacupira... I looked into his very intelligent brown eyes, and I felt a really deep connection." This serendipitous moment cemented her lifelong commitment to the gorillas.
A one-month placement transformed into a decades-long conservation odyssey. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka became Uganda's first wildlife veterinarian at 26, armed with knowledge from the Royal Veterinary College and fueled by a profound connection with these majestic creatures. Under her guidance, Bwindi's gorilla population surged from approximately 300 to 459, leading the IUCN Red List to reclassify them from critically endangered.
This success story, however, emerged from a backdrop of Uganda's turbulent history, including Idi Amin's dictatorship in the 1970s. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka’s family was directly impacted, with her father, a government minister, among the disappeared. "When Amin came into power, my dad was one of the first victims," she recounts. Despite this, her early fascination with wildlife, sparked by a pet monkey named Poncho, fueled her determination to reclaim Uganda's natural heritage.
Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka recognized the interconnectedness of gorilla and human health. The discovery of shared diseases highlighted the vulnerability of gorillas to human pathogens, underscoring the need for holistic conservation strategies. In 2003, she founded Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a pioneering initiative linking human and wildlife health. CTPH educates local farmers on sustainable land management and improves community hygiene, transforming the health landscape around Bwindi. "You couldn’t protect the gorillas without improving the health of their human neighbors,” she emphasizes.
Her work has revitalized entire communities. The influx of tourists, rising from 1,300 in 1993 to 39,000 in 2023, has boosted local economies. Community conservation warden Joshua Masereka notes, “When tourists come to this place, there’s more money…and therefore more benefits, more jobs, more opportunities.” CTPH's success extends to rehabilitating former poachers. Alex Ngabirano, a CTPH alumnus, founded Mubare Biodiversity, illustrating the transformative power of education and community involvement.
Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka’s impact has earned her international acclaim, including the Whitley Gold Award and recognition as a National Geographic explorer. Her work inspires a global movement of compassion for both people and wildlife. The recent birth of three baby gorillas in Bwindi signifies the success of her efforts. “It means that we’re bringing the gorillas back from the brink of extinction,” she passionately states. Her work demonstrates that conservation is about fostering harmony between humans and nature.
Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka’s story reminds us that deep connections with nature empower us to preserve and cherish our planet. How do you feel about the work being done in Bwindi? Share your thoughts and support for gorilla conservation. What actions can individuals take to support conservation efforts in their own communities? Consider donating to CTPH or other related organizations.
