Tshiaberimu

Category: Gorillas, Tshiaberimu, Uncategorized, Virunga National Park | Date: Jun 16 2008 | By: tshiaberimu

Hello, this is Jean Claude. We have just received the results from the initial analysis done on the tissue samples taken during Molo’s autopsy. The results show that Molo was suffering from Shigellosis, an infection of Shigella bacteria that causes dysentery. She was also suffering from a relatively high parasite load. While Shigellosis is not necessarily a killer, if contracted by an animal that is weakened by worms, then the bacteria can cause death.  Shigella is spread by the faecal-oral route so the remaining gorillas in this tiny population are in grave danger. (here is a photo of one of our precious gorillas during happier times).  Dr Mavisi, the vet who carried out the autopsies, and everyone at the Gorilla Organization would like to thank Dr Gladys Kalema from Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) who has responded so rapidly to our distress call from Tshiaberimu following the death of two gorillas.Dr Gladys has been able to quickly arrange some advanced training, and last week myself, Dr Mavisi and Safari (the head monitoring agent) went to Uganda to learn how to identify even the slightest signs that a gorilla is unwell. When we returned to Mount Tshiaberimu we trained all the other monitoring agents here. The training was extremely useful and will help us protect the remaining gorillas. We do not have all the equipment we need here but Dr Gladys has been able to come to Mount Tshiaberimu to look after the gorillas during this difficult time. Dr Gladys will not be able to stay long so when she leaves it is important that we get equipment we need so we can carry out advanced checks ourselves. My colleague Vhosi has also been sending out messages on the radio about health and wellbeing to ensure that all the local communities are healthy, and that we minimise any spread of disease. We are doing all we can to protect our gorillas.