Black History 365 Honors Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

A Lifelong Fight to Protect Africa’s Wildlife

By: Donovan Martin Sr, Editor in Chief

In the forests of Uganda, where mist settles over thick green hills and mountain gorillas move quietly through the undergrowth, one woman’s work has helped change the future of an entire species. Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is known around the world for her role in wildlife conservation and is the leading expert on mountain gorillas, but the heart of her story is deeply human. It is about compassion, persistence, and the understanding that caring for animals often begins with caring for people.

Her love for animals began early in life. As a child growing up in Uganda, she felt a natural bond with them and dreamed of one day working in a field that would allow her to protect wildlife. That dream took on new meaning after a painful experience during a period of political unrest, when a family pet was killed. The moment stayed with her and quietly shaped her purpose. From then on, her interest in animals grew into a determination to help protect them.

At a time when few women in her country were pursuing veterinary medicine, she chose to follow that path. The journey required strength and patience, but she stayed focused. Years of study and dedication eventually led to a historic milestone when Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka became Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian working inside the national park system. The position placed her directly on the front lines of conservation, where she would come face to face with some of the most endangered animals on the planet.

Her work with mountain gorillas quickly became central to her life. These gentle giants were under constant threat from habitat loss, disease, and human activity. Treating and monitoring them was both an honour and a responsibility. Over time, she noticed something important. Illness could pass between people and gorillas, and many of the risks facing the animals were connected to the challenges experienced by nearby communities.

Rather than focusing only on medical care for wildlife, she began thinking more broadly. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka saw that if families living close to the forests struggled with limited healthcare, sanitation, and economic hardship, it created conditions that affected both people and animals. That realization led her to develop a different approach to conservation, one that placed equal importance on human well-being.

Through the organization she founded, Conservation Through Public Health, she helped introduce health education, support services, and sustainable livelihood programs in communities near protected areas. The goal was simple but powerful. When families are healthier and more secure, the pressure on wildlife decreases, and the risk of disease transmission becomes lower. By strengthening communities, the chances of protecting endangered species grow stronger as well.

Over the years, this approach has helped reshape how conservation is understood. The mountain gorilla population, once critically endangered, has slowly increased. Many people and organizations have played a part in that progress, but her work helped highlight the importance of linking conservation with community support. It showed that long-term success depends on cooperation, respect, and understanding.

Her leadership has also opened doors for others. In a field where diversity has often been limited, seeing an African woman take on such a significant role has inspired many young people to consider careers in science, veterinary medicine, and conservation. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka’s journey stands as a powerful example of what can happen when passion meets purpose.

This story is not only about protecting animals. It is about preserving a delicate balance between nature and human life. Through steady dedication and a willingness to see the bigger picture, she helped create a model that continues to influence conservation efforts around the world.

Within the broader story of Black history, her contributions remind us that impact can take many forms. In the quiet forests where mountain gorillas live, the work of one determined veterinarian has helped protect a species while improving the lives of countless people. That legacy continues to grow, rooted in the belief that when we protect animals, we are also protecting the future we all share.