By the Houston Zoo
In the dense forests of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, an extraordinary team of veterinarians from Gorilla Doctors risks everything to save endangered mountain and Grauer’s gorillas. The Houston Zoo partners with this organization to support its critical mission to prevent extinction.
“This organization is doing incredible things to save a species, one gorilla at a time,” said Ben Jones, the Houston Zoo’s vice president of conservation and education.
Fighting extinction since 1986
Gorilla Doctors traces its roots to 1986, when famed primatologist Dian Fossey called for veterinary care to help stem the steep decline of gorilla populations. With only about 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild today, the organization’s work remains essential.
Veterinarians like Dr. Jean Bosco Noheri – known as Dr. Noel — hike into the forests more than 300 times each year to monitor and check on gorilla families. When an animal is injured by a poacher’s snare or battling illness, they step in with urgent care.
“When we started, the population was dramatically declining,” Dr. Noel said. “If we hadn’t used veterinary science, we might not be talking about gorillas today.”
Demanding work in the wild
The work is demanding. A typical day might mean trekking for hours through steep terrain, carrying medical supplies to treat a gorilla within its family group.
“It’s truly heroic work,” Jones said.
The results are clear: Up to 40% of mountain gorilla population growth can be linked to these efforts, making them the only great ape species currently increasing in number.
A comprehensive approach
The Houston Zoo’s support for Gorilla Doctors extends beyond funding. The zoo champions the organization’s One Health approach, which protects gorillas, park rangers and local communities by addressing disease risks. This approach is especially urgent since gorillas share so much human DNA.
At the Houston Zoo, staff share this story with the more than 2 million guests who visit each year through the gorilla habitat and conservation programs.
By visiting the Houston Zoo, you can be part of the effort to keep these forests alive with the sound of thriving gorilla families for generations to come.
Learn more about the Houston Zoo’s efforts to help protect gorillas by listening to this episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast.
