She became Uganda's first wildlife veterinarian: Meet Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

Conservation of nature has become the responsibility of humans. While some are more enthusiastic about it, like Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka; others are more passive about it. But Dr.

Gladys’s story becomes an inspiration about how sometimes nature can pull you back to your roots. She studied abroad, experienced the comforts of life and interacted with people from around the world. Yet, when she returned home, mountain gorillas captured her heart and she ended up dedicating her life to save as many of them. Her story is also motivating to study how local communities should be involved in the process rather than isolated from it.Dr.

Kalema-Zikusoka’s interest in saving wildlife wasn’t something she thought of just for the gorillas, her empathy for animals existed since childhood. Kalema told Unearth Women in an interview about a wildlife camp that she set up in her Kampala high school some 30 years ago. This adventure later turned into her career with her attending the University of London’s Royal Veterinary College in the early 1990s.