Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project!  MGVP offers volunteer opportunities in these two areas:

1. Medical and other professionals such as veterinarians, physicians, public health workers, agricultural experts, and engineers.

2. Medical, veterinary and agricultural graduate and undergraduate students wishing to contribute to ongoing research projects  

Volunteers do not accompany veterinarians or behavioral researchers into the park because access to mountain gorillas is strictly controlled by the conservation offices of the three countries in which we work.  However, there are many other ways in which volunteers can contribute to the MGVP.   For example, the MGVP is involved in improving domestic animal, wildlife, employee and community health through special initiatives in the areas surrounding the park. Volunteers can be utilized to aid in capacity building of the region.  Medical and veterinary technician volunteers may help with gorilla related projects in the lab.  Other avenues of volunteerism will be considered on a case-by -case basis, and MGVP may direct an interested person to another one of our collaborators who may be a better fit. 

The MGVP does not have funding to support volunteers or for specific projects. Volunteers are responsible for their round trip flight to Kigali, ground transport to/from Kigali to Musanze and $10/day room and board (breakfast and lunch) while staying in the MGVP compound in Musanze. The compound is simple but comfortable with electricity and plumbing, and intermittent internet access.  Volunteers are advised to bring an additional $25-100/week to cover costs of local transportation, meals outside the compound, and miscellaneous purchases. Volunteers are encouraged to see the gorillas while they are here by booking a trek with a tour company; the fee is $500 and well worth the cost!

If you are interested in volunteering for a minimum of 4 weeks, please email a letter of intent (which should specify interests or project ideas, and any available funding to ensure project implementation), a copy of your resume, and 3 letters of recommendation to Drs. Zimmerman and Cranfield:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Application deadlines are January 1 and July 1 of each year.We also always welcome funds to help support our effort, since the medical care of gorillas is extremely expensive.  Donations can most easily be made via our website at www.gorilladoctors.org.

Thank you for your interest!