Gorilla Doctors

10/15/2026

During an October 9 health check on Habinyanja group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Dr. Fred found all four mountain gorillas in good visual health. The group's silverback, adult female, and two blackbacks were busy foraging for fruit high in the trees, displaying normal activity levels and no visible signs of illness.

It’s our favorite kind of update and why routine monitoring is so important for tracking health trends and/or changes over time.

10/14/2026

On October 7, Dr. Fabrice and project veterinarian Dr. Reginald visited Baraka group in Virunga National Park, DR Congo for a routine health check. One silverback was observed with an injury to the back of his left hand but it was not infected and did not prevent him from using it to feed or move normally. All other members of the group appeared to be in good health.

10/13/2026

Another health check, another healthy newborn mountain gorilla! Last week, Dr. Adrien checked on Pablo group in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda where he had the opportunity to observe Inyange’s newborn baby. The mother, Inyange had previously been treated for gastrointestinal parasites and since her recovery she had this baby. Dr. Adrien was so happy to see Inyange healthy and with her new baby!

10/12/2026

Treating a Giant: A Wounded Elephant in Virunga National Park
By Dr. Fabrice, Field Veterinarian, DR Congo

"Most of my days are spent caring for mountain gorillas. But on Sunday, September 27, I found myself crouched in the forest near Lake Edward, about 200 meters from a six-ton bull elephant.

My colleagues Dr. Isabelle, Dr. Reginald, and I were already in the Ishango area of Virunga National Park. We had come to support anthrax outbreak surveillance along the Semliki River. Then a message arrived from the park’s North Sector team: an adult male elephant near Muramba area had a serious wound, and it looked infected..."

READ + WATCH THE FULL STORY:

By Dr. Fabrice Malonga, Field Veterinarian, Gorilla Doctors (DR Congo) Most of my days are spent caring for mountain gorillas. But on Sunday, September 27, I found myself crouched in the forest near Lake Edward, about 200 meters from a six-ton bull elephant. The bull elephant treated in Virunga Nati...

10/08/2026

Earlier this week, Dr. Fred visited the 17 mountain gorillas of Rushegura group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda for a routine health check. Over the course of the visit, Dr. Fred observed that adult female Kashasha was emaciated with browning haircoat and some hair loss; second silverback Kalembezi was also showing signs of reduced weight. Meanwhile, the rest of the group appeared to be in good visual health. Both Kashasha and Kalembezi will be closely monitored in case veterinary intervention is needed. Pictured: Silverback Kalembezi

10/06/2026

Kanywani group calm and busy feeding when Dr. Fred checked on them last week in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. The group comprises of 6 mountain gorillas, including 1 silverback, 4 adult females, and 1 female infant born to Kamushongi. All members of Kanywani group, including its tiniest member, were in good visual health.

10/05/2026

Since September 24, we have been closely monitoring a respiratory illness outbreak in Isimbi group, a family of 25 mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Dr. Adrien checked on the group on October 1 and found that only four gorillas were still exhibiting signs of illness, which did not affect their activity levels. Fortunately, none of the gorillas during this outbreak required supportive treatment. We will continue close monitoring of the group until the outbreak is fully resolved.

Preliminary results from our Michael Cranfield Regional One Health Laboratory identified both adenovirus and streptococcus bacteria were involved in this outbreak. Dr. Jean Claude Tumushime, our Regional Molecular Laboratory Manager, is currently studying historic trends in respiratory illness outbreaks in mountain gorillas as part of his PhD research to help us understand how different pathogens impact gorilla health, and how this understanding can inform and refine our veterinary care in future outbreaks.

10/02/2026

Dr. Adrien recorded this adorable clip of an infant climbing a tree during a recent routine health check on Kwitonda group in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. He had fun watching the infant try to imitate dominant silverback Karevuro by attempting to feed on the tree’s bark. Unfortunately, the tree was a bit slippery…watch til the end! (Don’t worry, the infant was totally fine!)

The 21 members of the group were in good visual health at the time of the visit.

10/01/2026

Dr. Fred visited the mountain gorillas of Mukiza group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda on September 27. For the duration of the health check visit, all 21 gorillas were calm while they rested and fed on plants in the area. The group — comprising of 1 silverback, 8 adult females, 1 blackjack, 1 subadult female, 3 juveniles, and 7 infants — was in good visual health.

Pictured: 1) adult female Nyakabara, 2) infants playing together, 3) infant feeding in a tree

09/30/2026

What does it take to solve a health mystery in a wild gorilla?

It starts in the forest. During routine health monitoring, our veterinarians look for subtle changes in breathing, feeding, movement, body condition, and behavior that may signal illness or injury. But what we can see only tells part of the story.

Field samples and laboratory testing help our field veterinarians provide targeted treatment for the ill or injured gorilla to improve its health and ensure its survival.

Learn more: gorilladoctors.org/solving-health-mysteries