Two Mutsora Orphans

Category: Orphaned Mountain Gorillas | Date: Jan 06 2008 | By: admin

For the last few days, we’ve been struggling with a new challenge: two orphaned Grauer’s (eastern plains) gorillas from DR Congo. MGVP Congo field vet Dr. Eddy Kambale and vet tech/caretaker/ICCN ranger Andre Bauma traveled by plane to Mutsora to evaluate the orphans and help stabilize them. The gorillas are young, several years old. They are weak and thin; the older one has severe diarrhea. We are not certain if either will live. From the photographs and Eddy’s description, we guess that both gorillas have been in captivity, in small cages, for some time.

We need to work out where to house these new orphans. They cannot stay in Mutsora much longer. There is no forest food. Eddy does not have all the medical supplies he needs, and Andre alone cannot handle both gorillas. But the distance by car is far (12-15 hours) from Mutsora to Goma and neither gorilla is strong enough to survive such a long, hard trip. Eddy and Jacques may be able to organize a plane fight to Goma, but then what? The new orphans cannot live in the same location as Ndeze and Ndakasi. That would break their quarantine and put the infants at risk at a time when both seem to be doing well –thanks to acidophilus tablets.

Where to house orphaned gorillas from DR Congo is not a new challenge for MGVP and our main partner in orphan gorilla care, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, DFGFI. Together we set up the facility in Kinigi, Rwanda, which now houses six Grauer’s and two mountain gorillas, and we’ve done all we can to create proper housing for Ndeze and Ndakasi in Goma. We have worked with ICCN officials on the need for a sanctuary in Congo for orphaned gorillas, but it’s not a reality yet. We are scrambling to figure out how to do the best we can for these poor animals. I’ll send another update as we learn more.

19 Responses to “Two Mutsora Orphans”

THERESA SISKIND, on 06 Jan 2008

I feel so helpless, poor babies! I guess antibiotics and intravenous fluids are out of the question or not available? Please, tell us what we can do to help…

Lucia Cristiana, Brazil, on 06 Jan 2008

Is it possible to take the babies in helicopter for Goma or Kinigi? How much money would be necessary? I sure we can help.

sheryl, washington dc, on 06 Jan 2008

Thanks, Dr. Lucy, for the update on the Mutsora orphans. If you can find the best way to transport them to a better home, please let us know the cost. I believe the people who read your blog can raise the money.

I hope these babies can get well and find the will to live. Thanks for all all you and the other vets are doing for them.

THERESA SISKIND, on 06 Jan 2008

Yes Cheryl and Lucia, you’re both right, we can raise the funds to take them where they have the facilities to care for them but it sounds like their fragile conditions need to be stabalized first. Dr. Lucy, thank you for taking them in and caring for them. Just let us know what you need and we will deliver.

Christine C., on 06 Jan 2008

Dr. Lucy…ditto to all of the above, let us know if there is an expedient way to get these poor babies where they need to go and we can start raising the money.

Thank you for the update…how bad are the machete wounds to the older infant? As always, our thoughts are with you and these wonderful gorillas…I hope, in the midst of all the bad news lately, that these two little ones will provide some much needed moral boosting…good luck!!!

Judy in CA, on 06 Jan 2008

Dear Dr. Lucy,
Is it possible to set up a “half-way” house in the vicinity of where the orphans are now in order to stabilize them before transport? So they would have a better chance of survival? I think it is important to post such sad stories so that the greater public gets better informed of the challenges for saving such animals there in Congo. No doubt we would all rise to the occasion to help fund a viable, safe sanctuary in Congo. Please do update us on the outcome. Thank you for your amazing work there,
Judy in CA

Lisa, California, on 06 Jan 2008

Dr. Lucy, Of course, I am with everyone here. Please let us know how we can help and we will get to work. Yes, the need for a sanctuary in Congo for orphaned gorillas is a very good idea and even though it may not be feasible at the moment, it seems like a very good thing to work towards once the fighting ends and some stability returns. My heart goes out to these poor little creatures. I really feel no differently as I would if it were a child going through the same thing. Honestly, it is so heartbreaking to see them in this situation struggleing to survive. Left alone without their Mother’s. Thank you for coming to their rescue and I prey that you can help them recover. Lisa

Annie/Texas, on 06 Jan 2008

Poor precious things……… I pray you guys can do all you can to help save them…..they just have to pull through this………..thanks for helping them! God Bless………..

angie. Brit in LA, on 06 Jan 2008

What can we do? I know we can raise the finances to help you. Just let us know how much money will help to get what the babies need.

gorilladoctors, on 06 Jan 2008

All,
Thank you for your good questions and offers of support. Both orphans are on fluid and antibiotic therapy, but they are also very thin and stressed. I’ll write again as plans develop for a proper sanctuary, and we’ll add some orphan-specific donation categories soon to the menu on the right. For now, funds toward fuel and milk would be helpful as it seems we are driving back and forth from Rwanda to Congo often with supplies.
Thanks again,
Lucy

cathy-california, on 07 Jan 2008

How awful for these innocent animals. I’m happy to make another donation but very sad given the circumstances. Are these orphans letting any humans near them without showing signs of distress? I pray that someone will be held accountable.
Thanking everyone for their efforts–
Cathy

Pirjo, Finland, on 07 Jan 2008

Thank you for the much needed update on the captured gorillas. I’m sure that there are many many people who are more than willing to donate for a much needed gorilla sanctuary. Please keep us posted.

THERESA SISKIND, on 07 Jan 2008

Dr Lucy, thank you for keeping us informed, we all realize how busy you guys are! I hope these babies weren’t badly dehydrated for I fear they may have impaired kidney function. Also if they were severely malnourished I realize that would impair their renal function as well. I’m guessing their milk formula is fortified. We all wish would could be there to lend a hand and give a big hug to caretakers and the little babies!

F. J. PECHIR, on 07 Jan 2008

Hoping that you can find the way to help these little babies, even more in this first days of their recuperation…whishing that all goes well and please mantain us up-dated about this issue.

mike pugh, on 07 Jan 2008

So sad! God bless those poor creatures. Let us know when we can donate money and help these guys.

THERESA SISKIND, on 07 Jan 2008

I’ve entered these 2 babies in The Rainbow Bridge Prayer Vigil which takes place every Monday at 10 pm. Please God, spare these 2 , they have been through so much already…

Lucia Cristiana, Brazil, on 07 Jan 2008

Dear Theresa,
Thank you for prays. Our broken hearts do need some consolation.

cathy-california, on 07 Jan 2008

Any updates on the baby gorillas? I’m not sure what is worse, not knowing what is going on at this very moment, or knowing that the news is very likely to set off a new wave of tears. Please tell us how we can help. I’m going to write to Anderson Cooper–I think he should update his audience and inform everyone of this tragedy. Perhaps someone else can do the same…might catch their attention.

THERESA SISKIND, on 08 Jan 2008

Update on baby gorilas at Gorilla Protection, the news is encouraging…

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