A silverback mountain gorilla inside Uganda's Bwindi National Park, home to about half of the world's mountain gorilla population.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
A silverback mountain gorilla inside Uganda's Bwindi National Park, home to about half of the world's mountain gorilla population.
STUART PRICE/AFP/Getty Images/file
The critically endangered species are threatened by continued loss of habitat as a result of human activities, as well as poaching, deforestation and disease.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
The critically endangered species are threatened by continued loss of habitat as a result of human activities, as well as poaching, deforestation and disease.
SIMON MAINA/AFP/Getty Images/file
Veterinarian Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is a trailblazing advocate for species conservation in Bwindi.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
Veterinarian Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is a trailblazing advocate for species conservation in Bwindi.
CNN
She is the founder of the non-profit group "Conservation Through Public Health," working to create an environment where gorillas and the people who live near them can coexist safely.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
She is the founder of the non-profit group "Conservation Through Public Health," working to create an environment where gorillas and the people who live near them can coexist safely.
CNN
In addition to her work as a leading scientist and researcher, Kalema-Zikusoka also spends her time engaging with local communities on how best to preserve the gorillas' natural habitat.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
In addition to her work as a leading scientist and researcher, Kalema-Zikusoka also spends her time engaging with local communities on how best to preserve the gorillas' natural habitat.
CNN
Part of the work conducted at the CTPH involves training wildlife health monitoring. Trained rangers, trackers and volunteers collect fecal samples which are then analyzed at the Gorilla Research Clinic for disease outbreaks and other medical ailments the mountain gorillas might face.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
Part of the work conducted at the CTPH involves training wildlife health monitoring. Trained rangers, trackers and volunteers collect fecal samples which are then analyzed at the Gorilla Research Clinic for disease outbreaks and other medical ailments the mountain gorillas might face.
Courtesy Conservation Through Public Health
Kalema-Zikusoka (pictured center) poses with a group of trainee rangers in May 2008. Kalema-Zikusoka says that when the conservation land was established, many people who were previously poachers were employed as rangers and trackers. "We call them 'born again poachers," she says.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
Kalema-Zikusoka (pictured center) poses with a group of trainee rangers in May 2008. Kalema-Zikusoka says that when the conservation land was established, many people who were previously poachers were employed as rangers and trackers. "We call them 'born again poachers," she says.
Courtesy Conservation Through Public Health
The passionate conservationist explains there needs to be a careful balance between conservation and commerce. She says: "I realized how the communities were benefiting a lot ... gorilla tourism is helping to lift them out of poverty." But increased human interaction has had an effect on the gorillas.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
The passionate conservationist explains there needs to be a careful balance between conservation and commerce. She says: "I realized how the communities were benefiting a lot ... gorilla tourism is helping to lift them out of poverty." But increased human interaction has had an effect on the gorillas.
STUART PRICE/AFP/Getty Images/file
Adult female "Karungyi" gently carries one of the infant gorillas of the Rushegura group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 2007.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
Adult female "Karungyi" gently carries one of the infant gorillas of the Rushegura group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 2007.
Courtesy Conservation Through Public Health
The Rushegura group is one of 10 habituated mountain gorilla groups at the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site in Uganda.
Up close with mountain gorillas in Uganda —
The Rushegura group is one of 10 habituated mountain gorilla groups at the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site in Uganda.
Courtesy Conservation Through Public Health