Once expected to be on the brink of extinction by the turn of the millennium, the mountain gorillas’ fate has taken an unexpected turn. For the first time ever, their numbers have increased. Today, there are over 1000 mountain gorillas in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. It’s a testament to the tireless efforts of conservationists like Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka.
FAIRLADY first interviewed Gladys back in the early 2000s; about her efforts as Uganda’s first-ever wildlife veterinarian. Twenty-odd years later, she has shared her story in Walking With Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet. We spoke to the award-winning conservationist at the launch of her book in Johannesburg.
Finding her passion
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Gladys was the youngest of six children. With siblings between five and 19 years older than her, she found companionshipcats and dogs became her friends, planting the seed of love for animals that would grow into a lifelong calling. ‘By the age of 12,’ she says, ‘I had already decided that I wanted to become a vet.’
