By Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka | Founder and CEO
This report details the progress of Conservation Through Public Health's project on GlobalGiving, titled "The Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi, Uganda #44078." In our last report from October 2024, we recorded 519 donations worth $35,444. As of now, we have received 554 donations, totaling $36,142, thank you for your support.
What we have done this quarter
Gorilla Health Monitoring
We continued our routine gorilla health monitoring program in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers and the Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi and Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA). In this reporting quarter, we successfully collected 822 gorilla fecal samples from all 28 habituated gorilla groups of Bwindi and Mgahinga Conservation Area. These samples were analyzed at the Gorilla Health and Community Conservation Centre’s (GHCCC) field laboratory in Bwindi, where intestinal helminth parasites, including Ascaris, Trichuris, and Strongyloides species, were identified, strengthening an early warning system to protect gorillas from diseases. Some samples are preserved for further tests for other respiratory illnesses, including SARS-CoV-2 that causes coronavirus disease. Faecal samples are collected routinely by CTPH staff, UWA park rangers, and Gorilla Guardians/Human and Gorilla Conflict Resolution Teams (HUGOs), all of whom have been trained in non-invasive collection and preservation of faecal samples.
Gorilla Births
In this quarter we share some exciting news regarding the births of new gorilla infants.
In October 2025, the adult female Migogo of the Mucunguzi gorilla family in the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gave birth. The new birth brought the number of the Mucunguzi gorilla family to 15 gorillas.
In December 2024, adult female Bashekura from the Tindatine family in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi welcomed a new baby! The new birth brought the number of family members to 8 members.
On January 19th, 2025, adult female Nyakiruka from the Mucunguzi family, was seen with a newborn baby. This brings the total number of individuals in the group to 16, under the strong leadership of Mucunguzi the Silverback. Both baby, mom, and dad are in good health—a promising sign for the future of this remarkable family!
These new arrivals are a significant occasion for wildlife conservation, and it fills us with hope for the future of the mountain gorilla population.
We congratulate these families on welcoming their new bundles of joy, which contribute to the growing mountain gorilla population.
Upcoming events
Gorilla Census
We are pleased to let you know that in partnership with the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) and collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and other conservation partners under the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), we are preparing for a Gorilla Census which is anticipated to start in March 2025.
This vital survey will help assess the health, population, and habitat conditions of the mountain gorillas. The last census was conducted in 2018 where 1063 mountain gorillas were counted as the global mountain gorilla population.
We will keep you updated on the progress of this important activity.
Thank you very much for your continued support of Conservation Through Public Health.
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