Gorilla Doctors

During a recent health check on Hirwa group in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, Dr. Gaspard noted a couple small healing cuts on silverback Isango-Gakuru's left shoulder and left hand. Fortunately these superficial injuries did not affect his activities or his overall health.

While this did not correspond with any changes in activity or behavior, the team will continue close monitoring, as haircoat browning can sometimes be an early indicator of parasite load.

Ongoing monitoring and early detection are key to keeping mountain gorillas healthy and thriving in the wild.

During a visit to the Pablo group in Volcanoes NP, Dr. Gaspard conducted an exam after reports of loose stool in juvenile Umuryango. Encouragingly, Umuryango showed normal stool at the time of observation. Dr. Gaspard did note brownish discoloration in the haircoats of juveniles Uwacu and Ubusugire.

These photos show dominant silverback Karevuro high in a tree foraging for food, documented by Dr. Adrien on Feb 12 during a routine health check of the Kwitonda group in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. We are happy to report that all 20 gorillas in the group appeared to be in good overall health.

DID YOU KNOW: An adult male mountain gorilla weighs ~430 pounds, yet can lift over 1,700 pounds of dead weight. They can use their strength to push over small trees or bend vegetation to reach food and are remarkably agile climbers, easily carrying their own bodyweight high into the forest canopy.

Our brand new website is live! The new site brings you closer than ever to the world of gorilla conservation medicine with immersive stories, powerful visuals, and a deeper look at how our team has been keeping wild eastern gorillas healthy for decades.

Start your journey here: gorilladoctors.org

This morning, Dr. Cedric visited Katsabara group again in Mt. Tshiaberimu sector of Virunga National Park. All members of the group continue to be in good visual health, including adult female Ndekesiri and her baby (pictured here).

Behind every thriving baby gorilla is a strong family group and a vast network working tirelessly to protect them. Gorilla Doctors plays a critical role in this effort as the only org in the world dedicated to conserving mountain + Grauer's gorillas in the wild through veterinary medicine + science.

Dr. Cedric visited Katsabara group as part of his regular monitoring schedule for the critically endangered Grauer's gorillas living in Mt. Tshiaberimu sector of Virunga National Park. All 5 members of the group exhibited normal behavior and good visual health. Pictured: adult female Mukokya

Keeping Tulambule Healthy: Then and Now - Gorilla Doctors By Dr. Fred Nizeyimana, senior field veterinarian, Uganda On January 19, I received a call from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park trackers that adult female mountain gorilla, Tulambule, in Nyakagezi grou...

NEW BLOG POST: Keeping Tulambule (a new mother!) Healthy: Then + Now, written by Dr. Fred Nizeyimana, senior field veterinarian, Uganda

READ FULL STORY: www.gorilladoctors.org/keeping-tula...

On January 27, Dr. Cedric completed a routine health check of the Kipura group, a family of Grauer’s gorillas living in the remote Mt. Tshiaberimu sector of Virunga NP. All members of the group were observed to be in good health, a sign of hope for a critically endangered species.

Fortunately, Dr. Gaspard observed Umuryango displaying normal activity levels during the 2+ hours assessment. To be thorough, he collected fecal samples, which have since been submitted to the lab with results pending.

On January 30, Dr. Gaspard visited Pablo group in Volcanoes NP to check on blackback Umuryango following reports that he may have a condition upsetting his stomach.

Adult female Nyabwezinga was reported as having a swollen arm so Dr. Fred conducted a vet assessment. He saw her feeding and moving with some slight swelling around the elbow but otherwise bright and alert.

Close monitoring by trackers is ongoing with a follow-up vet assessment scheduled.

Mugeni shows remarkable improvement in her condition, though a slight limp persists. She is able to use all 4 limbs to walk and keeps up with the the rest of the group. The initial cause of her limp is unknown but we are just glad to see she is already improving! She will be closely monitored.

1 week ago we shared reports that Mugeni, an adult female mountain gorilla in Agashya group wasn't using her right back leg. Dr. Gaspard conducted a follow-up monitoring visit a week later to see if there was any signs of improvement to her condition.

These visits allow us to assess overall condition, often using photographs to track subtle changes over time. Our vets can catch early signs of illness before they become life-threatening, helping to guide timely interventions and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our wild endangered patients.

Why these checks matter:
While they're not as dramatic as emergency interventions, routine health checks are essential for gorilla conservation medicine. Across Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo, our vets monitor gorilla families regularly, building a long-term picture of individual and group health.

On January 23, Dr. Adrien visited Kwisanga group in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, to conduct a routine health check. The 14 mountain gorillas in the group were observed feeding and resting together throughout the two-hour observation period, and all appeared to be in good health.

Thank you!! We are proud of what we do and grateful for our many collaborators and supporters.

Respiratory Illness Outbreak in Kwitonda Group – Multiple Mountain Gorillas Treated - Gorilla Doctors By Gaspard Nzayisenga, senior field veterinarian Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda December 25, 2025 saw the beginnings of respiratory illness in some of the gorillas in Kwitonda group.  Over the next f...

NEW BLOG POST: Respiratory Illness Outbreak in Kwitonda Group

Written by Dr. Gaspard Nzayisenga, senior field veterinarian, Rwanda

READ FULL STORY: www.gorilladoctors.org/respiratory-illness-outbreak-in-kwitonda-group-multiple-mountain-gorillas-treated/

Yesterday, Dr. Adrien spent 4 hrs observing the Agashya group in Volcanoes NP. 40-year-old Mugeni is under close health monitoring due to an observed limp. The remainder of the group appeared to be in good health during the visit.

Pictured: Adult female Inyungu with her infant and silverback Isano

Following reports that silverback Bweza (leader of Nshongi group) had sustained wounds to the head and shoulder, Dr. Ricky headed into Bwindi Impenetrable NP. Fortunately a veterinary intervention was not needed at this time, Close monitoring will be ongoing in case his condition takes a turn.

Ntamupaka, an adult female mountain gorilla in Sabyinyo group, was nursing her newborn when Dr. Adrien visited the group for a recent routine health check. Every healthy new baby is a cause for celebration, and Ntamupaka's newborn is no exception.

Adult female mountain gorilla Mafuko has welcomed a set of twin babies, born January 3, marking an extraordinary moment for her family and for gorilla conservation.

Learn more: virunga.org/news/birth-o...

📸: Virunga National Park

It was a warm and sunny day when Dr. Ricky visited Binyindo group in Bwindi Impenetrable NP. 7 of the group members were feeding up in the big fig trees while our vet conducted a visual health assessment. According to Dr. Ricky, Binyindo group appeared to be in good overall health.

Executive director Dr. Kirsten Gilardi recently joined our Ugandan field vets Drs. Ricky and Fred to check on Rushegura group in Bwindi Impenetrable NP. Apart from minor scratches on silverbacks Kabukojo and Kalembezi, the observed members of the group appeared to be in good overall health.

We will continue to monitor him closely to track his recovery or assess if further veterinary intervention is needed.

Drs. Gaspard and Adrien safely treated Karevuro with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications via dart, a veterinary intervention that will give him the best chance to recover before his condition can worsen.

On 12/29, our team answered the call for Karevuro, the nearly 31-year-old silverback of Kwitonda group in Volcanoes NP. Trackers noticed he was lagging behind his family and lingering unusually long in his night nest, which are subtle but worrying signs for a gorilla who has led his group for years.