My Pet World: Vets Have Many Jobs, Even Helping Endangered Gorillas
The most significant and surprising threat may originate from the very ecotourists who provide for the gorillas' protection.
"Being such a close relative to people, gorillas are susceptible to many of the same viruses and infectious disease that we are, and often more susceptible since they don't have any immunity to these things," Zimmerman notes.
In fact, some ecotourists noted coughing gorillas on a recent trek. Veterinarians will treat the gorillas as best they can, but it's not an easy job, and the work can be dangerous. While gorillas are peaceful, male silverbacks defend their troop, and mothers protect their babies. Text messages can't be sent to the gorillas in advance explaining that members of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project are there to help, even save lives.
Zimmerman said a silverback once charged her, but Zimmerman stood her ground -- not an easy thing to do with an angry, 400-pound gorilla running right at you.
"I could feel his breath on my face," she says.
On another occasion, a veterinarian treated a gorilla's injured hand. Later, the veterinarian returned -- as a kind of follow up -- and the silverback actually extended the hand, as if to say, "It's OK now."
The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project is a non-profit, funded in part by the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, www.gorilladoctors.org.
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Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.
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