Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda's first wildlife veterinarian, has made remarkable contributions to wildlife conservation, particularly in her work with mountain gorillas. Through her efforts, she has changed people's attitudes towards conservation and demonstrated the value of gorilla tourism to local communities. Her initiatives, such as "Conservation through Public Health," have not only improved the health of gorillas but also addressed the well-being of the people living around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The population of mountain gorillas has nearly doubled over the past 25 years, and Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka's work has played a significant role in this achievement. While she has made a positive impact, she recognizes that there is still more work to be done to ensure the long-term protection of these incredible animals.
Photo Credit: Greg Gollin