Apes Reporting Project
In Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka chronicles her transformative experiences as Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian. This memoir details her 27-year commitment to conserving critically endangered mountain gorillas and highlights the pressing issues of poverty, zoonotic diseases, and habitat loss exacerbated by human population growth and climate change. By integrating human and wildlife health through the One Health approach, Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka has pioneered innovative strategies that seek to balance conservation with community needs.
The importance of this subject is underscored by the increasing frequency of pandemics and the impact of human activities on biodiversity-rich areas. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka’s work emphasizes that sustainable solutions must address the health of both humans and animals, particularly in developing countries facing unique challenges. Her memoir serves as a vital call to action for conservationists and the general public alike, advocating for responsible tourism and social enterprises that empower local communities.
Apes Reporting Project recently sat down with Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka to delve deeper into her new book and her vision for gorilla and chimpanzee conservation in Uganda.
Interview
Apes Reporting Project (ARP): Why is the subject of Walking with Gorillas significant in today’s world?
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka (GK): The subject is crucial because we face numerous challenges such as poverty, zoonotic diseases, and habitat loss, particularly in biodiversity hotspots. These issues are compounded by high human population growth rates, leading to increased conflicts between humans and wildlife, and accelerating species decline. My work emphasizes that without addressing these interconnected problems through a One Health approach, we cannot hope to save both wildlife and the communities living alongside them.
ARP: What pressing issues are you tackling in your conservation efforts?
GK: Zoonotic diseases, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching are significant challenges. Through the One Health approach, we improve the health and well-being of people and animals alike, addressing the root causes of these issues. For example, by improving local healthcare access, we help reduce the transmission of diseases from humans to mountain gorillas.
ARP: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your conservation philosophy?
GK: One significant turning point was when I investigated a fatal scabies outbreak in mountain gorillas, which was traced back to local communities with limited health services. This experience reinforced my understanding that protecting wildlife cannot be achieved without also improving the health and welfare of the people living near protected areas.
ARP: What role does your book play in promoting conservation?
GK: Walking with Gorillas outlines my journey in conservation and the importance of integrating human health with wildlife protection. By sharing personal stories and lessons learned, I hope to inspire others to engage in conservation efforts and highlight the importance of responsible tourism and social enterprises that benefit both wildlife and local communities.
ARP: What message do you want readers to take away from your memoir?
GK: I want readers to recognize that individual actions matter in conservation. By fostering partnerships between communities and conservationists, we can create sustainable solutions that benefit everyone involved. My journey shows that with determination and collaboration, we can make a meaningful impact on our planet’s health.
ARP: Looking ahead, what are your future plans?
GK: I aim to expand the One Health model to other countries in Africa and advocate for the empowerment of women and youth in conservation leadership roles. Additionally, I plan to write more books that delve deeper into the themes explored in Walking with Gorillas and continue mentoring the next generation of conservation leaders.
ARP: Where can readers find your book?
GK: Walking with Gorillas is available on platforms like Amazon US, Barnes & Noble, and Simon & Schuster’s distribution networks in the UK, Uganda, and worldwide, on this LINK.
This story was produced with support from Apes Reporting Project (ARP). ARP is a project of Water Journalists Africa, which also runs InfoNile, a geojournalism project.
