IGCP Partners with Gorilla Doctors to Construct Regional Gorilla Laboratory | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

The International Gorilla Conservation Programme in partnership with Gorilla Doctors have embarked on a project to construct the first ever regional molecular diagnostic laboratory for mountain gorillas.  The facility will process and analyze gorilla biological samples and also provide in-house, microbiology, and virology molecular testing. “Using its standard diagnostic capacity, the laboratory will facilitate early identification of pathogens and will guide timely veterinary clinical interventions which will highly improve mountain gorilla health,” says Dr. Jean Bosco Noheri, Gorilla Doctors’ Veterinary Field Officer.

According to Dr. Noheri, the quality facility will reduce on the turn-around time between sample collection and analysis and cut down on preliminary sample shipping abroad. Currently, samples are shipped to the United States of America for diagnosis which causes major delays in receiving the results. Dr. Noheri adds that the new facility will also test other wildlife species whose health status is likely to affect mountain gorillas owing to their close home range.

An MoU to guide the terms of this partnership between Gorilla Doctors and IGCP was signed last year, flagging off the start of the construction project. IGCP with financial support from WWF-UK has extended USD 38,644.19 (Rwf 40,000,000) towards this project. Gorilla Doctors on the other hand have provided the necessary equipment and land where the laboratory is being built.