Sadly, Vumilia, the older of the two orphaned Grauer’s gorillas in Mutsora, collapsed last night around midnight and died a few hours later.
Dr. Eddy tried to stabilize the gorilla, but the change in the animal’s condition was dramatic and grave; he managed to revive the little gorilla once, but not for long. Earlier that day (January 12), Vumilia had been eating fairly well. The Mutsora team has found a good source of forest foods. It was his first day without SC fluid and antibiotic therapy–as he seemed much improved and had completed his course of treatment. We continued to feel cautious optimism for him. The younger female orphan, Mapendo, so far, shows no signs of illness and she has, overall, been healthier from the start. We will continue to keep a very close eye on her; at least she still has Andre.
Our plan had been to move the gorillas tomorrow by plane (thanks again to Wildlife Direct) to a new holding facility, quickly built by DFGFI in the back yard of their Goma office. This enclosure should be finished by the end of the day today, and we believed the orphans were stable enough to travel tomorrow. ICCN will provide staff to help with their care. This location is not where Ndeze and Ndakasi, the orphaned mountain gorillas, reside. Nor is it suitable for long-term housing, and we continue to discuss how to move forward on establishing a proper Grauer’s gorilla sanctuary in DR Congo.
We will go ahead with the move for Mapendo and perform a complete necropsy (post mortem exam) on Vumilia. We hope this exam will explain the cause of death, but this is never a guarantee, and we will need to secure permits in order to send the tissues off to experts in the USA for detailed analysis—a step that takes time.
To all who have helped so far by supplying resources and donations, thank you. MGVP has a restricted fund designated for orphaned gorilla care, so all funds given for the orphans will be used for them, either for vet care or—in the future—toward the establishment of a new facility. The insecurity in DR Congo is not helping matters. We hope the leaders of ICCN and NGO partners to agree on the way forward, and soon.
14 Comments
So so sorry to hear this Lucy. After all the efforts of you and your team I cannot imagine the despair and sadness. Everyone – please donate to Gorilla Doctors if you can. You can either set up a monthly donation to the gorilla orphan Mapendo, or make a one off donation (just put in the box that paypal provides that you want it to go to the gorilla orphan). The money raised here and on the Gorilla Blog for the orphan will be used by the Gorilla Doctors for medical care, food etc. Thank you. Samantha
I cannot believe… I’m in shock. This is a tragedy. But Vumilia were in angel’s hands although for few days. Rest in peace sweet prince.
A tragedy indeed, Lucia. It is devastating. I had such high hopes for both little ones, especially with the great care they have been receiving. I, too, take some comfort in knowing that Vumilia may have felt loved and cared for in his last days. Thank you Gorilla Doctors for your tireless efforts to save these little ones.
im really really sorry,i will pay 40 dollors a months for mapando
take care
Thank you, Dr. Lucy and everyone who tried so hard to help Vumilia. This is unspeakably sad. I’ll donate whatever I can.
s.
Dr. Lucy and everyone at MGVP, there are no words to say how sorry I am…you all worked so hard, but at least we know this little guy felt a lot of love, and probably no fear the last days of his life, and that I think, is the most important thing to remember. Without you, that could not have happened. Now we pray, cross, our fingers, whatever, for Mapendo and hope she has the strength to carry on…we all know that she certainly will have all the love and care she needs.
What devastating news. Thank you again to everyone who worked so hard to save poor little Vumilia. My heart aches for him and everyone who cared about him. I will also make another donation. Is there ANY info on the thugs who are responsible for his death? I hope that we can learn something from his autopsy and that Mapendo can survive this loss. This is so very tragic.
I, along with everyone else is heartbroken to hear this news….I really had hoped the little fellow would make it…I pray Mapendo will survive…she must miss her friend who has now been taken away as her other family….just gut wrenching! thank you to your team for doing all that you could!
My condolences to everyone at WLD, Dr Lucy, Andre, and to everyone who cared about this little guy. I’m still in shock. His bravery and reaching out to little Mapendo as a surrogate caretaker were simply amazing. Samantha, so sorry this comes as you just arrive back…please, I know how busy you are, but email me when you can @ siskind8@msn.com
Am so so sorry, can’t believe it. Thank you for making his last days the best he could have had under the dreadful circumstances he came to you. He was a brave soul, it’s so sickening.
My heart is very heavy today. Lisa
Dr. Lucy — heard the good news that Mapendo is safely in Goma…hopefully all will go well from here on in.
I still can’t look at this website without crying for Vumilia. I am thrilled for Mapendo but until someone is held accountable for Vumilia’s death, I won’t feel like I can move on. When can we expect some news on his autopsy?
Cathy, I’m still just coming to terms with Vumilia’s passing…I haven’t cried so hard since my beloved dog Charlie died in 2006. Amazing how quickly we bonded with Mapendo and Vumilia…that is why I set up a site at Rainbows Bridge for him, so we could go to visit him there. I chose the song “Climb Every Mountain” for his site because it equates the efforts, the up hill battle we are all undertaking to save these gorillas. I placed bananas at his grave and a statue of St Francis and a lighted candle. I will keep up his site till the day I pass over the bridge myself…