Title: Field Veterinarian, Uganda
Gorilla Doctor Since: 2017
Favorite Part of the Job: Knowing that every action taken during both our health monitoring and intervention activities directly contributes to the conservation of an endangered species and their survival is deeply rewarding.
Memorable Moment: A moment that is so dear to me was my active participation in an intervention of Ruterana’s infant from Ruhsegura group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The infant had lost body condition, and she was no longer feeding well. A couple of months after the intervention her appetite had returned, she was full of energy, and actively playing in the trees, with a glossy hair coat and curious eyes reflecting a vitality I never thought we’d see again. To me, this day and moment is a reminder of why our work matters. She wasn’t just one life saved. She was a symbol of hope for her family group, her species, and for all of us who refuse to give up, even in the darkest moments.
Favorite Animal/s (besides gorillas of course): Dogs are my favorite – they were my first companions growing up and they introduced me to the world of veterinary medicine and working with ‘silent’ patients.
Recent Blog Posts
Select Publications
- Novel Escherichia coli-infecting bacteriophages isolated from Uganda that target human clinical isolates, Phage, 2023.
- Animal dignity: philosophical reflections on non-human existence. In: Challenger M, ed. Animal Dignity: Philosophical Reflections on Non-Human Existence, 2023.
