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Gorilla Doctors Helping save the last remaining gorillas

Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project

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Mountain Gorilla Vet Project

written by: Reportage GEO MAGAZINE 19 Mar 2023

Brent Stirton images.
RUMANGABO, EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, MARCH 2012: Andre, 39, a self described “gorilla mother” looks after 4 orphaned gorillas who were rescued from various horrific circumstances and brought into care by the staff of Virunga National Park, DRC, 2 March 2012. Andre thinks of these gorillas as his own children and even describes bringing his children to see them as showing them their brothers and sisters.

Andre lives with the Gorillas 24/7 with the exception of a few days off to visit his own family. Andre is an ICCN Congolese Conservation ranger and has cared for orphaned and rescued gorillas since 2003. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Reportage for GEO magazine.)

The Mountain Veterinary Project is dedicated to conserving wild mountain and eastern lowland (or Grauer’s) gorillas through life-saving veterinary medicine and a One Health approach. Their international team of veterinarians is the only group providing these critically endangered animals with direct, hands-on care in the wild.

With only 880 mountain gorillas left in the world today, it is critical to ensure the health and well-being of every individual. Research has proven hat by intervening to save sick and injured gorillas, the Gorilla Doctors have helped make mountain gorillas the only great ape whose numbers in the wild are increasing.

At the request of Dian Fossey, the Morris Animal Foundation established the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project in 1986 as a tiny one-veterinarian clinic providing emergency veterinary care to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Over the years, MGVP grew to employ vets not only in Rwanda, but in Uganda and the D.R. Congo too. The MGVP partnered with the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the University of California, Davis in 2009. Together, the two tax-exempt institutions formed Gorilla Doctors, which employs more than a dozen veterinarians and technicians in all three countries where eastern gorillas live.

gorilla doctors

Check out more of Brent Stirton’s incredible photography on his instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/brentstirton/

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Why Epic Epic Private Journeys
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Everyone at Epic lives and breathes the product and the places we sell. We want you to feel the passion, awe and respect for these precious wilderness destinations. We're now into our third decade of Epic excellence in an industry we love.

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At Epic, we pride ourselves on exceptional, personal service and attention to the smallest details of your journey. We have never been set and forget, available to our clients 24/7 wherever they may be in the world.

Inspiration
Rwanda

A life changing experience

Mountain gorillas

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking 4 nights

Most travellers who enjoy wildlife want to see a mountain gorilla at some stage. This safari allows them to do that in a cost effective way. Epic uses the socially and environmentally responsible lodges operated by companies with the best reputations in safari lodge management and conservation. Arriving into the capital, Kigali. Many people choose to visit the Genocide memorial and local markets as an introduction to the recent history and remarkable resurrection of Rwanda. This itinerary is 3-4 nights long and can bundle very nicely with further exploration in Rwanda to Akagera National Park and potentially for chimpanzee trekking. This trip also compliments a more conventional wildlife safari in Kenya, Tanzania or at Victoria Falls – connecting into Southern Africa.

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Rwanda
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Anita and the whole Epic team did an outstanding job organizing, planning and executing our trip to Kenya. Their attention to detail, from assisting us with choosing our outstanding accommodations, to having a pre-trip preparatory call with a staff member on the ground - to having several people immediately waiting for us at the airport and helping every step of the way, made our vacation the best ever! When there was a flood in Kenya just a couple months before our departure date and our accommodations were closed for the year, Anita was able to find us superb last minute accommodations, which ended up being the favorites of our trip. We loved every minute of our incredible trip and are so grateful for working with Anita and Epic.
Danielewicz family
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to East Africa, arranged for us by Sam and Epic Private Journeys. We had the most wonderful time! Their expertise in laying out our itinerary, and arrangements was impeccable! Thanks to their knowledge and experience, we were thrilled with each location that we visited, enabling us to enjoy the wildlife, as well as the culture of these beautiful countries. The guides, accommodations and travel arrangements were all fabulous. We enjoyed a mix of canvas tents and lodges, each with their own unique personality and natural beauty. This involved several moves throughout Kenya and Tanzania, and all of our travel connections went flawlessly! Their communication with us in preparation, for the trip was so helpful. From completing visa applications, to packing lists to recommending unique stops along the way, they were immensely patient and generous with their time, answering all of our questions, and making us feel completely prepared to go. And they continued to be in touch with us along the way, always available to provide guidance. We are so grateful to the team for this fabulous experience, and cannot wait to get our next African journey planned!
Julie and Monty
Re-entry has taken longer than expected, but I'm finally taking a breath to respond.  Might also be due to Pisco Sours twice daily during our entire trip! THE TRIP WAS FABULOUS!!! Everything we hoped for and more from an Epic trip.  A gift of memories beyond measure!! Hotels? We would return to all! I am clearly spoiled!   Thank you again for another successful adventure.  Cindy & Jack – Amazon & Machu Picchu
Cindy and Jack
Our trip to Africa was a dream come true; everything we wished for was granted by the genies at Epic! From the onset they listened, responded, explained and supported. Advice and recommendations were spot on, there was no point in which we felt the experience wasn’t designed entirely around us. We would do it again in a heartbeat. Anna
Anderson family
Climbing Kilimanjaro with Epic was nothing short of a life-changing experience. Their commitment to excellence and a genuine passion for providing a transformative journey created moments our family will remember for the rest of our lives. From the early calls about training and health markers to the team helping us with the climb on the ground, Epic's meticulous planning, attention to detail, and unwavering support ensured that every step of the climb was not just a physical feat but a soul-stirring adventure. For us, the journey was not just about reaching the summit but about the transformative moments along the way—the camaraderie forged in the tents with the guides, porters, and cooks, the breathtaking landscapes that unfolded with each day, and the profound sense of accomplishment as the summit came into view. Every person on the expedition was willing to help and went above and beyond to create a memorable experience for all of us, and we genuinely felt they enjoyed our presence as well. Epic's commitment to sustainability and ethical tourism also allowed us to have peace of mind throughout the journey, knowing that we would leave as little of a footprint behind. Climbing Kilimanjaro was a project on our minds for a long time. Embarking on this adventure with Epic made it an even better experience than we thought possible. They truly gave our family an 'experience for the books,' and we look forward to creating more memories with them in the future.
Leonardo Abedum de Lima Hanzawa
Our Safari in Africa was a once in a lifetime experience for our family. Throughout the planning Bridgit and Rob carefully listened to and answered our questions and fully understood our expectations, needs and concerns as a family of 5 traveling in Africa. Anita’s attention to detail with the complicated logistics made the safari seamless from beginning to end. Kudos Anita! Trekking gorillas in Uganda was one of many highlights and truly an unforgettable experience. Our kids thanked us too many times to count for such an incredible trip. Thank you, Epic, for making this a magical family vacation where lifelong memories were created!!!
Shelly – Family of five
Just wanted to let you know we had a wonderful, successful climb/week on Kilimanjaro. We cannot begin to express how impressed we were with the crew/guides/cooks/porters and level of service and care. We had no idea we’d be taken such good care of and all agree it ”made” the trip. All of my friends thanked me again and again for finding Epic for our climb. We always felt safe and cared for. The connections we all made on the trail/at camp with these amazing souls will stay in our hearts and memories forever. What a beautiful group of people.
Lynne – Mt Kilimanjaro
I just wanted to thank you so much for everything you did to help put together our incredible Africa adventure. It truly was a trip of a lifetime, and I know how hard you worked behind the scenes to make it all happen. I also know how much effort it took in the eleventh hour when our flight got cancelled to make sure we would still be able to make our dream trip a reality. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We hope to embark on another adventure with Epic in the future, and in the meantime have been telling all of our friends to reach out to you to plan their next trip.
Dana
It was such a pleasure being with Epic and we had a fabulous trip. Thanks to your exquisite planning and extraordinary knowledge of the places we visited.
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