The Mountain Gorilla Project, began thanks to the efforts of the late, but inspirational Diane Fossey, who pleaded for veterinary help, to save the population of then, under 300 mountan gorillas who were living in the high altitude mountain forests between Uganda, Rawanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A few weeks before her death, Diane met the wildlife enthusiast daughter of Dr Mark Morris, founder of the Morris Animal Foundation, MAF. Despite Diane's death, just three weeks later, the Morris Foundation was determined the project would go ahead. It funded a vet, Dr James Foster, to become the first ever Gorilla Doctor. The Gorilla Doctors have since blossomed to become an organisation in their own right, at the forefront of fostering veterinary expertise, and primate practice within a number of African countries and have a very impressive list of international partnerships to assist in furthering relevant research as well as gorilla health.
Today, over 800 Mountain Gorillas, though still a precariously endangered species, are now living in that same habitat, thanks to the work of the Gorilla Doctors!
The Gorilla Doctors work closely with local communities of people and gorillas and use a 'one health' approach, recognising the importance of a healthy and interdependant natural ecosystem is vital to the survival of all species, including homo sapiens and mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Doctors are always welcome donations to help finance their orhphaned gorillas care.
To read the full history of the Gorilla Doctors, and the wonderful and inspiring work they do visit http://www.gorilladoctors.org/.
For an overview of their work watch this charming and informative video the organisation has produced!
A few weeks before her death, Diane met the wildlife enthusiast daughter of Dr Mark Morris, founder of the Morris Animal Foundation, MAF. Despite Diane's death, just three weeks later, the Morris Foundation was determined the project would go ahead. It funded a vet, Dr James Foster, to become the first ever Gorilla Doctor. The Gorilla Doctors have since blossomed to become an organisation in their own right, at the forefront of fostering veterinary expertise, and primate practice within a number of African countries and have a very impressive list of international partnerships to assist in furthering relevant research as well as gorilla health.
Today, over 800 Mountain Gorillas, though still a precariously endangered species, are now living in that same habitat, thanks to the work of the Gorilla Doctors!
The Gorilla Doctors work closely with local communities of people and gorillas and use a 'one health' approach, recognising the importance of a healthy and interdependant natural ecosystem is vital to the survival of all species, including homo sapiens and mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Doctors are always welcome donations to help finance their orhphaned gorillas care.
To read the full history of the Gorilla Doctors, and the wonderful and inspiring work they do visit http://www.gorilladoctors.org/.
For an overview of their work watch this charming and informative video the organisation has produced!
For students:
Find out more about Diane Fossey by watching 'Gorilla's in the Mist', or researching her work online!
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