Episode #185 Show Notes

Revolutionizing Mountain Gorilla Conservation: The One Health Approach with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

September 24, 2024

Headshot photo of Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
Dr. Gladys Kalema-ZikusokaVeterinarian & Founder of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH)

Episode #185 Summary

In the misty mountains of Uganda, where endangered gorillas roam, a revolutionary approach to conservation is taking root. This groundbreaking vision isn’t just changing the fate of mountain gorillas, it’s transforming entire communities and reshaping our approach to safeguarding Earth’s most vulnerable species.

Today we’re celebrating World Gorilla Day with a legend in the field, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. I had the opportunity to sit down with Gladys after reading her memoir Walking With Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet – complete with a foreword by none other than Jane Goodall! Dr. Gladys has been a trailblazer in gorilla conservation for years and is the founder of Conservation Through Public Health, an organization revolutionizing conservation through the combination of human and wildlife wellbeing.

In this conversation, Gladys and I explore her journey from becoming Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian to the gorilla troop that inspired her groundbreaking One Health approach to conservation. We also chat about mountain gorilla conservation, the top threats the species faces, and how CTPH is both conserving gorillas and supporting local communities through alternative livelihoods, access to medical care, family planning, and so much more. You’ll come away from this conversation with a deeper understanding of the link between conservation and human health and how you can help conserve gorillas.

Also, fun fact – Uganda is the 40th country represented on the show, so thank you, Gladys, for adding a new region to Rewildology.

Alright, that’s enough from me. Let’s swing into the fascinating world of gorilla conservation with the one and only Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka!

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Disclaimer: Transcripts are AI-generated, unedited, and may contain errors.

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