By Dr. Fred Nizeyimana, senior field veterinarian
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Rwereeta is a young mountain gorilla in Bwindi’s Kutu group, born July 15, 2022. Over the past year, Dr. Ricky and I have intervened twice to save his life.
September 2025: A Severe Foot Injury
At three years old, Rwereeta was injured on September 9th during a fight within the group. Kutu group currently has no silverback and is led by an aggressive blackback named Bindeeba, who is often challenged by another blackback, Bwire. Park trackers and Dr. Ricky found Rwereeta the next morning, limping severely and unable to bear weight, with three toes on his left foot nearly severed.
Rwereeta, appearing to be in pain before intervention to treat severe wound, September 10, 2025. © Gorilla Doctors
Because Rwereeta’s mother, Murema, was protective and unlikely to allow safe access to her infant, both she and Rwereeta were anesthetized. Under anesthesia, Dr. Ricky surgically removed the non-viable toes, cleaned the wound, and administered antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, and a multivitamin. Biological samples were collected for lab testing. Both gorillas’ vital signs stayed stable throughout, and they recovered from the anesthesia without complications.
Rwereeta and his mother moving away post-intervention, September 10, 2025. © Gorilla Doctors
The team continued monitoring both gorillas for another hour before leaving the group. Over the next few weeks, we conducted multiple monitoring visits – Rwereeta made a full recovery.
But his story doesn’t end there –
August 2026: A Snare Rescue
Almost a year later, on August 16th, Rwereeta was found in the same general area with a wire snare tightened above the elbow of his left arm. Trackers reported the arm was swollen, with blood flow visibly restricted and that his mother was carrying him most of the time. We raced into the forest with our medical ‘go bags’.
Rwereeta with a wire snare, once again being carried by his mother, August 16, 2026. © Gorilla Doctors
We reached the group by early afternoon. With the assistance of project veterinarian Dr. Gloria, I darted and anesthetized Rwereeta within a few minutes and cut the snare shortly after.
Wire snare wrapped tightly around Rwereeta’s arm, August 16, 2026. © Gorilla Doctors
We also treated the swelling and gave him antibiotics and pain medication. As well, we conducted a physical exam, collecting biological samples for future analyses. The anesthesia was reversed, and he was back up within half an hour of the initial dart. Park trackers will keep a close eye on Rwereeta’s recovery, and I will conduct a follow-up monitoring visit within one week.
Dr. Fred prepping medication for an intervention in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – from the archives, August 2024. © Gorilla Doctors
