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Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet
An Inspiring Memoir, for Fans of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Frans De Waal.
In her enchanting memoir, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian, tells the remarkable story from her animal-loving childhood to her career protecting endangered mountain gorillas and other wild animals. She is also the defender of people as a groundbreaking promoter of human public health and an advocate for revolutionary integrated approaches to saving our planet. In an increasingly interconnected world, animal and human health alike depend on sustainable solutions and Dr. Gladys has developed an innovative approach to conservation among the endangered Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and their human neighbors.
Walking with Gorillas takes the reader on an incredible personal journey with Dr. Gladys, from her early days as a student in Uganda, enduring the assassination of her father during a military coup, to her veterinarian education in England to establishing the first veterinary department for the Ugandan government to founding one of the first organizations in the world that enables people to coexist with wildlife through improving the health and wellbeing of both. Her award-winning approach reduced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on critically endangered mountain gorillas.
In the face of discrimination and a male dominated world, one woman’s passion and determination to build a brighter future for the local wildlife and human community offers inspiration and insights into what is truly possible for our planet when we come together.
In her enchanting memoir, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian, tells the remarkable story from her animal-loving childhood to her career protecting endangered mountain gorillas and other wild animals. She is also the defender of people as a groundbreaking promoter of human public health and an advocate for revolutionary integrated approaches to saving our planet. In an increasingly interconnected world, animal and human health alike depend on sustainable solutions and Dr. Gladys has developed an innovative approach to conservation among the endangered Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and their human neighbors.
Walking with Gorillas takes the reader on an incredible personal journey with Dr. Gladys, from her early days as a student in Uganda, enduring the assassination of her father during a military coup, to her veterinarian education in England to establishing the first veterinary department for the Ugandan government to founding one of the first organizations in the world that enables people to coexist with wildlife through improving the health and wellbeing of both. Her award-winning approach reduced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on critically endangered mountain gorillas.
In the face of discrimination and a male dominated world, one woman’s passion and determination to build a brighter future for the local wildlife and human community offers inspiration and insights into what is truly possible for our planet when we come together.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 14, 2023
106 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
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March 14, 2023Her dream job didn’t exist, so she invented it.
When Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka was studying at the University of London’s Royal Veterinary College in the 1990s, there was no veterinarian assigned to look after the diverse and often threatened wildlife in the national parks of her native Uganda, but even as a young woman, she saw a dire need for one.
So she appealed to the parks’ director and had a job waiting for her after graduation; it was the first of many trailblazing actions she would go on to take in her brilliant career. In her inspiring new memoir, “Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet,” the conservationist recounts her work advocating for wildlife in the field and beyond.
Click here to keep reading my review in the Christian Science Monitor!
When Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka was studying at the University of London’s Royal Veterinary College in the 1990s, there was no veterinarian assigned to look after the diverse and often threatened wildlife in the national parks of her native Uganda, but even as a young woman, she saw a dire need for one.
So she appealed to the parks’ director and had a job waiting for her after graduation; it was the first of many trailblazing actions she would go on to take in her brilliant career. In her inspiring new memoir, “Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet,” the conservationist recounts her work advocating for wildlife in the field and beyond.
Click here to keep reading my review in the Christian Science Monitor!
March 14, 2023
Kalema-Zikusoka can best be described as a trailblazer: born and raised in Uganda, she knew relatively early that she wanted to work with animals...but in taking a job as a wildlife veterinarian, she more or less created that role in Uganda—as a Black, African woman in a field historically dominated by white (often Western) men. She notes late in the book that media sometimes refer to her as the "first female wildlife veterinarian in Uganda" (loc. 3890*), and while this is technically true, it implies that a man or men had come before her—when in fact it's a path that she started blazing alone in the 90s.
In Walking with Gorillas, Kalema-Zikusoka describes a career spent working with, and advocating for, animals, but a much more complicated career path than you might think. She grew up with a fair amount of privilege, educated in Kenya and the UK, but also in the shadow of tragedy—her parents were politically involved, and her father was murdered when Kalema-Zikusoka was a toddler. And her own work was, at times, uncharted territory. Her conservation work with primates meant learning what the surrounding communities needed and how they viewed the gorillas living near them, and then working with those communities to find ways for human and animal to coexist sustainably. To that end, the book ends up focusing much less on direct work with animals and much more on what amounts to politics and diplomacy and the struggles of small businesses: raising funds, and convincing different groups to work together, and setting up programs to improve both human and animal health, and developing a coffee brand to both raise funds and support local coffee farmers, and working on family planning strategies, and on and on it goes. (And jeepers creepers: the amount of racism and sexism involved must have been staggering; Kalema-Zikusoka treats instances of those relatively matter-of-factly and never dwells on it, but it's...it's there.)
A lot of it is fascinating work (I'm not actually much of an animal person, but for whatever reason I love reading about veterinary work, and also work out in the wild—any wild), though it helps to go into it knowing how much of it is about...the work around the work, I guess. This is not a memoir of a singular experience, or of a year or two of working with animals; it's about decades of learning and advocacy and inspiring change. It's a futile wish, but I did find myself wishing that Kalema-Zikusoka had written a book much much earlier, and then perhaps another and another over the span of however many years, to allow more space for full scenes and direct work with animals.
One thing that's really interesting to note is the circular, or at least constantly shifting, face of conservation: Kalema-Zikusoka notes towards the end that before tourism, threats to gorillas came from local communities who resented conservation efforts because they impacted locals' ability to source wood, etc.; with the advent of tourism, those threats subsided but new threats came in the shape of disease transmission and retaliatory killings when habituated animals get too comfortable in the human sphere (and, e.g., eat crops). Definitely a job that will never truly be done.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
*I read an ARC, so quotes may not be final.
In Walking with Gorillas, Kalema-Zikusoka describes a career spent working with, and advocating for, animals, but a much more complicated career path than you might think. She grew up with a fair amount of privilege, educated in Kenya and the UK, but also in the shadow of tragedy—her parents were politically involved, and her father was murdered when Kalema-Zikusoka was a toddler. And her own work was, at times, uncharted territory. Her conservation work with primates meant learning what the surrounding communities needed and how they viewed the gorillas living near them, and then working with those communities to find ways for human and animal to coexist sustainably. To that end, the book ends up focusing much less on direct work with animals and much more on what amounts to politics and diplomacy and the struggles of small businesses: raising funds, and convincing different groups to work together, and setting up programs to improve both human and animal health, and developing a coffee brand to both raise funds and support local coffee farmers, and working on family planning strategies, and on and on it goes. (And jeepers creepers: the amount of racism and sexism involved must have been staggering; Kalema-Zikusoka treats instances of those relatively matter-of-factly and never dwells on it, but it's...it's there.)
A lot of it is fascinating work (I'm not actually much of an animal person, but for whatever reason I love reading about veterinary work, and also work out in the wild—any wild), though it helps to go into it knowing how much of it is about...the work around the work, I guess. This is not a memoir of a singular experience, or of a year or two of working with animals; it's about decades of learning and advocacy and inspiring change. It's a futile wish, but I did find myself wishing that Kalema-Zikusoka had written a book much much earlier, and then perhaps another and another over the span of however many years, to allow more space for full scenes and direct work with animals.
One thing that's really interesting to note is the circular, or at least constantly shifting, face of conservation: Kalema-Zikusoka notes towards the end that before tourism, threats to gorillas came from local communities who resented conservation efforts because they impacted locals' ability to source wood, etc.; with the advent of tourism, those threats subsided but new threats came in the shape of disease transmission and retaliatory killings when habituated animals get too comfortable in the human sphere (and, e.g., eat crops). Definitely a job that will never truly be done.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
*I read an ARC, so quotes may not be final.
March 23, 2023
You know if Jane Goodall has written an introduction to a book it’s going to be good. Having lived in Uganda and with nature writing being one of my favourite genres I also knew this would be a book I would enjoy. However despite that it completely went beyond expectations and turned out to be an inspiring, fantastic and educational read. Without a doubt my favourite book of 2023 so far.
Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka not only defied the odds to become a vet in the first place but went onto become Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian. She became especially interested in mountain gorillas and spent time monitoring, treating and researching them near the Congolese border. What became apparent was how interconnected both animals and people are and how a community of humans can impact the lives of gorillas and vice versa. Realising how diseases could pass from humans to gorillas and also how social issues could lead to poaching Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka set up multiple initiatives and eventually an NGO that looked at addressing issues in both animal and human lives so that outcomes improved for both.
Written in a conversational style, though with plenty of evidence, references and details, this is a very easy to read book. I sat down to start reading it this morning and finished it in the same day as I wanted to know what happened next and was completely enthralled.
Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka own life is fascinating. She is a remarkable person who has faced multiple challenges but not given up. The difficulties instead made her more determined. Reading about her was inspiring and makes you want to go out and make positive changes in your own community. What really stood out for me however was her use of research methods to understand issues and then using solutions that involved the participation of communities. She explains how this makes sustainable changes and also allows communities to take the lead and ownership too. Using examples of medication, health, technology to animal welfare time and time again she shows just how successful this is as a process. While not shying away from the hardships and challenges involved this book provides a really good example of research, development work and conservation done correctly.
A brilliant book, I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time to come!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka not only defied the odds to become a vet in the first place but went onto become Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian. She became especially interested in mountain gorillas and spent time monitoring, treating and researching them near the Congolese border. What became apparent was how interconnected both animals and people are and how a community of humans can impact the lives of gorillas and vice versa. Realising how diseases could pass from humans to gorillas and also how social issues could lead to poaching Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka set up multiple initiatives and eventually an NGO that looked at addressing issues in both animal and human lives so that outcomes improved for both.
Written in a conversational style, though with plenty of evidence, references and details, this is a very easy to read book. I sat down to start reading it this morning and finished it in the same day as I wanted to know what happened next and was completely enthralled.
Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka own life is fascinating. She is a remarkable person who has faced multiple challenges but not given up. The difficulties instead made her more determined. Reading about her was inspiring and makes you want to go out and make positive changes in your own community. What really stood out for me however was her use of research methods to understand issues and then using solutions that involved the participation of communities. She explains how this makes sustainable changes and also allows communities to take the lead and ownership too. Using examples of medication, health, technology to animal welfare time and time again she shows just how successful this is as a process. While not shying away from the hardships and challenges involved this book provides a really good example of research, development work and conservation done correctly.
A brilliant book, I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time to come!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2023
I've waited a long time for a sequel to Dian Fosse's excellent though heart-rending Gorillas in the Mist so when Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka's publisher offered me early access to her book, Walking With Gorillas (Arcade 2023), I grabbed it. This is the story of one of our closest relatives--gorillas--told by an individual dedicated to sharing their tale despite challenges that could defeat anyone less committed. Because of this, Kalema-Zikusoka has become an important voice in saving our endangered cousin.
"... a magical time for me and a turning point in my life, where I decided to become not just a veterinarian, but one who works with wildlife."
She realized early that as a native, no one had a better lens to tell this story so she must do it.
"Vernon reminded me to be patient by relating a saying I will never forget, “Africans have the time while Europeans have the watches!”
"... in Uganda, where the local Batwa hunter/gatherers avoided the gorillas because they believed it was bad luck to look in the eyes of a gorilla, people in Zaire ate gorillas because they believed that eating a gorilla would give them its strength."
"Later I realized that local beliefs was also the reason why there were several giraffes in Murchison Falls National Park and only a handful in Kidepo, where boys had to kill a giraffe as part of the initiation ceremony into manhood."
But don't be surprised when the story becomes more complicated than where the gorillas live and what they eat. With the budget constraints and time demands endemic to not just Uganda but the world of agencies trusted to protect endangered wildlife, there seems to be almost as much time involved in caring for the animals as securing the approvals, funding, and support to make that happen. Kalema-Zikusoka took pains to make this book--unlike any other I've read--almost a procedural in how to save African wildlife.
Overall, this is an important book not just for the work Kalema-Zikusoka did in the field, but for the revealing way she explains what had to be done to make that happen. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to make that commitment to preserving the planet's natural resources.
"... a magical time for me and a turning point in my life, where I decided to become not just a veterinarian, but one who works with wildlife."
She realized early that as a native, no one had a better lens to tell this story so she must do it.
"Vernon reminded me to be patient by relating a saying I will never forget, “Africans have the time while Europeans have the watches!”
"... in Uganda, where the local Batwa hunter/gatherers avoided the gorillas because they believed it was bad luck to look in the eyes of a gorilla, people in Zaire ate gorillas because they believed that eating a gorilla would give them its strength."
"Later I realized that local beliefs was also the reason why there were several giraffes in Murchison Falls National Park and only a handful in Kidepo, where boys had to kill a giraffe as part of the initiation ceremony into manhood."
But don't be surprised when the story becomes more complicated than where the gorillas live and what they eat. With the budget constraints and time demands endemic to not just Uganda but the world of agencies trusted to protect endangered wildlife, there seems to be almost as much time involved in caring for the animals as securing the approvals, funding, and support to make that happen. Kalema-Zikusoka took pains to make this book--unlike any other I've read--almost a procedural in how to save African wildlife.
Overall, this is an important book not just for the work Kalema-Zikusoka did in the field, but for the revealing way she explains what had to be done to make that happen. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to make that commitment to preserving the planet's natural resources.
February 14, 2024
Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet is not a book to read for the great prose. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka is not a writer, she is a Wildlife Veterinarian, a conservationist, and has had an extraordinary life.
Her book admittedly is full of "I did this and I did that," and if that will annoy you, it is best to avoid it. But if you have an open mind and want to learn about gorillas, Uganda, and the people in the villages around the gorillas, this may be the book for you. In addition, to raise her cred, Jane Goodall wrote the forward.
I was amazed by her and her vision. Gladys was the first wildlife vet for the UAW(Uganda Wildlife Authority), the government agency responsible for managing and protecting wildlife.
She returned to school for combined degree in veternary medicine and public health in North Carolina, because she felt that she needed to be more knowledgeable in public health. After graduating she founded Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) to address the needs of the communities surrounding the parks for mountain gorillas, because she felt that the health of both wildlife and people were tied together.
I feel like I have learned so much by reading her book and I am glad to have found out about her.
Her book admittedly is full of "I did this and I did that," and if that will annoy you, it is best to avoid it. But if you have an open mind and want to learn about gorillas, Uganda, and the people in the villages around the gorillas, this may be the book for you. In addition, to raise her cred, Jane Goodall wrote the forward.
I was amazed by her and her vision. Gladys was the first wildlife vet for the UAW(Uganda Wildlife Authority), the government agency responsible for managing and protecting wildlife.
She returned to school for combined degree in veternary medicine and public health in North Carolina, because she felt that she needed to be more knowledgeable in public health. After graduating she founded Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) to address the needs of the communities surrounding the parks for mountain gorillas, because she felt that the health of both wildlife and people were tied together.
I feel like I have learned so much by reading her book and I am glad to have found out about her.
January 22, 2026
Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka clearly belongs in the pantheon of conservation heroines like Jane Goodall, Diane Fossey and others. Her life is truly inspiring beginning with her love of animals from a young age in Uganda to her pursuit of a veterinarian degree despite the many obstacles in her path. As the first wildlife veterinarian in Uganda she led the charge to save the mountain guerrillas, but her approach was unique in that she tied the health of the gorillas to the health of the human population that lived near them. She realized that the gorillas could contract diseases from the humans when the gorillas forged in the community gardens of the local populace. Her efforts to educate the locals by increasing vaccinations, hand washing equipment and general sanitation practices made a significant difference in the survival of the endangered mountain guerrilla bands. The recipient of numerous awards, she founded the Conservation Through Public Health nonprofit which connected the health of the human populations to the health of the surrounding wildlife. A very impressive woman!
October 21, 2023
Did not finish!
Most readers seemed to have enjoyed this book, but I didn’t. I agree that Dr Gladys is doing very important work for conservation and preservation of wildlife and local communities. Unfortunately she is not a writer. I am extremely interested in conservation work around the world, but I could not slog through another page of the book. It feels like reading a combination of someone summarizing their summer and a college admissions essay. I am pretty sure that Dr Gladys is passionate about her work but I didn’t feel it in her writing. Also as a side note, Dr Gladys is determined and passionate and all that good stuff, but she is also very lucky. It doesn’t take away from her accomplishments, but very few people could become a vet after their mother is widowed, their country taken over by extremists, going to school all over the world. It is amazing that she made it to vet school and then she was crazy lucky to meet great mentors and internships.
Most readers seemed to have enjoyed this book, but I didn’t. I agree that Dr Gladys is doing very important work for conservation and preservation of wildlife and local communities. Unfortunately she is not a writer. I am extremely interested in conservation work around the world, but I could not slog through another page of the book. It feels like reading a combination of someone summarizing their summer and a college admissions essay. I am pretty sure that Dr Gladys is passionate about her work but I didn’t feel it in her writing. Also as a side note, Dr Gladys is determined and passionate and all that good stuff, but she is also very lucky. It doesn’t take away from her accomplishments, but very few people could become a vet after their mother is widowed, their country taken over by extremists, going to school all over the world. It is amazing that she made it to vet school and then she was crazy lucky to meet great mentors and internships.
April 13, 2023
The Life of Glades Kalema-Zikusoka.
I was disappointed in this book as I expected to read about the Gorillas of modern day Virunga. This story is about the life of the author from childhood to becoming a veterinarian. Not many stories or anecdotes about the animals.
I was disappointed in this book as I expected to read about the Gorillas of modern day Virunga. This story is about the life of the author from childhood to becoming a veterinarian. Not many stories or anecdotes about the animals.
July 8, 2025
Final rating: 3.5 stars
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka was the first wildlife vet in Uganda! For someone relatively young, that's saying something. I was so interested in this memoir, especially before my own trip to Uganda to see gorillas and other widlife. And it was really good to learn about Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka's story and the history of conservation in Uganda - she's led a very fascinating life and done some amazing things! But there was so much potential here that didn't get realized.
The book read more like a report: this happened and then this happened and then that happened. Her emotions and personal story felt like a side thought. Every time I thought we'd get something interesting, it stopped just short. For example, when she met another woman in the conservation field early in her career, they shared that they had similar experiences... and then the next chapter started and we got nothing of that encounter. It just didn't feel very personal. I hope she gets to write another book that delves more into her personal story and feelings and emotions.
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka was the first wildlife vet in Uganda! For someone relatively young, that's saying something. I was so interested in this memoir, especially before my own trip to Uganda to see gorillas and other widlife. And it was really good to learn about Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka's story and the history of conservation in Uganda - she's led a very fascinating life and done some amazing things! But there was so much potential here that didn't get realized.
The book read more like a report: this happened and then this happened and then that happened. Her emotions and personal story felt like a side thought. Every time I thought we'd get something interesting, it stopped just short. For example, when she met another woman in the conservation field early in her career, they shared that they had similar experiences... and then the next chapter started and we got nothing of that encounter. It just didn't feel very personal. I hope she gets to write another book that delves more into her personal story and feelings and emotions.
August 6, 2023
I'm only ten percent into it, but so far, not enjoying it much. She's a great person, doing wonderful work. But she's not really a writer and she apparently didn't work with one to create this book. The writing is flat and pedestrian: I did this and then I did that and then I did that. On one recent page, "I" appears 15 times. Makes it feel self centered , me me me. But I don't think it really is, she just doesn't know how to write to vary the sentence forms and be more descriptive. We haven't gotten to the gorillas yet, so maybe it will get better..
Later. Dnf at 50 percent. This is too bad. She really should have found a good writer to coauthor this with her. I think she has a really good story to tell, but she doesn't tell it. I gave up on it at halfway. The book isn't about gorillas; it's about her and how she managed to be the first African woman Wildlife veterinarian in Uganda, how she started her own NGO non profit, how she was the only African woman to do all the things she does and go all the places she goes.
It's irritating at times. She spends several pages about how she came up with the idea that human, livestock, gorilla are pretty much sharing the same habitat in Africasnd interacting with each other. The only way to solve their problems is through a coordinated approach that works on the health of the human community and the gorilla community together. She talks about what an absolutely unique idea she came up all by herself, how difficult it is to find funding, because all the funding sources are either for human health or animal health, not both. But then in a few pages, she mentions another agency doing the exact same thing and they are already hosting conferences about it. They already have funding and give her a grant. And then a couple pages later she mentions another group doing the same thing. And she never says anything like I was so grateful to find out I was not alone in this, never acknowledges.
Speaking of other groups, she mentions by full name and title every person she ever worked with, each volunteer and inter that ever spent a summer working in her program, every person in every agency that she ever dealt with....
But who doesn't get mentioned? The gorillas. The book is called Walking with Gorillas, but as near as I can tell, she never does walk with them. Her only interaction with them is to sneak up and shoot them with tranquilizer darts and then help relocate them. She also does post mortem autopsies on gorillas that die. She does not study gorilla behavior, she studies gorilla feces, to determine parasite load and what diseases they are carrying.
I thought this would be a memoir about her time with the gorillas. It is not. There is nothing personal here, no personal connection with the gorillas or much of anything else. There are no descriptions of how beautiful are the mountains/ forests where the gorillas live, though I imagine they are. She is doing wonderful work, has kept the mountain gorillas from going extinct. But she does it by being practical, hard headed, extremely determined. Does not make for compelling reading
Later. Dnf at 50 percent. This is too bad. She really should have found a good writer to coauthor this with her. I think she has a really good story to tell, but she doesn't tell it. I gave up on it at halfway. The book isn't about gorillas; it's about her and how she managed to be the first African woman Wildlife veterinarian in Uganda, how she started her own NGO non profit, how she was the only African woman to do all the things she does and go all the places she goes.
It's irritating at times. She spends several pages about how she came up with the idea that human, livestock, gorilla are pretty much sharing the same habitat in Africasnd interacting with each other. The only way to solve their problems is through a coordinated approach that works on the health of the human community and the gorilla community together. She talks about what an absolutely unique idea she came up all by herself, how difficult it is to find funding, because all the funding sources are either for human health or animal health, not both. But then in a few pages, she mentions another agency doing the exact same thing and they are already hosting conferences about it. They already have funding and give her a grant. And then a couple pages later she mentions another group doing the same thing. And she never says anything like I was so grateful to find out I was not alone in this, never acknowledges.
Speaking of other groups, she mentions by full name and title every person she ever worked with, each volunteer and inter that ever spent a summer working in her program, every person in every agency that she ever dealt with....
But who doesn't get mentioned? The gorillas. The book is called Walking with Gorillas, but as near as I can tell, she never does walk with them. Her only interaction with them is to sneak up and shoot them with tranquilizer darts and then help relocate them. She also does post mortem autopsies on gorillas that die. She does not study gorilla behavior, she studies gorilla feces, to determine parasite load and what diseases they are carrying.
I thought this would be a memoir about her time with the gorillas. It is not. There is nothing personal here, no personal connection with the gorillas or much of anything else. There are no descriptions of how beautiful are the mountains/ forests where the gorillas live, though I imagine they are. She is doing wonderful work, has kept the mountain gorillas from going extinct. But she does it by being practical, hard headed, extremely determined. Does not make for compelling reading
February 1, 2023
Excellent read
August 10, 2023
My husband gave me this book before our trip to Africa. It was interesting at first but it didn’t sustain my interest. I was hoping for more animal-related anecdotes from the perspective of a large animal vet in Africa. While there were some, there weren’t enough to keep me reading. Stopped half-way through. But I did admire this woman, who realized the importance of helping the local people in order to help the animals.
August 23, 2023
I chanced upon Dr Kalema-Zikusoka’s name while reading a research paper which led to other articles describing her contributions and attributes on Conservation and Public Health. I was aware of her prolific work advocating for wildlife in Africa and when her memoir came out, I had to pick it up. This beautiful and passionate memoir encompasses her personal struggles, field challenges, working conditions, her affection towards mountain gorillas and a new approach she took for conservation.
Dr Gladys initiates the book with narrating her childhood experiences which majorly contributed in inculcating a sense of responsibility and devotion towards mountain Gorillas who were considered endangered species in mid 1990s. Despite her childhood being both thrilling and disturbing, she developed an uncommon perspective and got determined to work in the field of conservation. Thereafter, with her conviction and support from her family, she became the first “Wildlife Veterinarian” of Uganda after graduating from University of London’s Royal Veterinary College.
The next part of the book showcases her inspiring and fascinating journey into the forests of Africa wherein there are episodes involving transfer of Elephants, Giraffes to a more safer area as part of conservation projects, investigating skin condition on these animals, discovering the impact of unplanned vegetation/fauna on the life of animals and most endearing were her interactions with mountain gorillas who she discloses share 98% of our genetic material and are comparatively calm creatures. In these episodes, she perfectly justifies how medication, technology and kindness can work wonders in implementing conservational techniques.
The later part of the book focuses on the NGO she founded, struggles of fund raising, interlinking public health programmes for animal health and setting up a coffee plantation to support the local forest tribes/farmers. This part in particular is so relatable and inspiring in terms of understanding the concept of “One Health”.
Her innovative techniques of engaging poachers, farmers, forest tribes towards sustained employment, conservation and keeping the primates healthy had won her accolades and are still being adapted in various countries. Her take on “advent of tourism” in Africa and the threat it imposes is worth envisaging.
Overall, this is an impressive memoir on overcoming hardships and research, technique and conservation done right for equitable living.
Dr Gladys initiates the book with narrating her childhood experiences which majorly contributed in inculcating a sense of responsibility and devotion towards mountain Gorillas who were considered endangered species in mid 1990s. Despite her childhood being both thrilling and disturbing, she developed an uncommon perspective and got determined to work in the field of conservation. Thereafter, with her conviction and support from her family, she became the first “Wildlife Veterinarian” of Uganda after graduating from University of London’s Royal Veterinary College.
The next part of the book showcases her inspiring and fascinating journey into the forests of Africa wherein there are episodes involving transfer of Elephants, Giraffes to a more safer area as part of conservation projects, investigating skin condition on these animals, discovering the impact of unplanned vegetation/fauna on the life of animals and most endearing were her interactions with mountain gorillas who she discloses share 98% of our genetic material and are comparatively calm creatures. In these episodes, she perfectly justifies how medication, technology and kindness can work wonders in implementing conservational techniques.
The later part of the book focuses on the NGO she founded, struggles of fund raising, interlinking public health programmes for animal health and setting up a coffee plantation to support the local forest tribes/farmers. This part in particular is so relatable and inspiring in terms of understanding the concept of “One Health”.
Her innovative techniques of engaging poachers, farmers, forest tribes towards sustained employment, conservation and keeping the primates healthy had won her accolades and are still being adapted in various countries. Her take on “advent of tourism” in Africa and the threat it imposes is worth envisaging.
Overall, this is an impressive memoir on overcoming hardships and research, technique and conservation done right for equitable living.
April 24, 2024
Apparently this is my year to read memoirs… particularly those written by badass women who plowed right into their desired fields from a young age and kept pushing boundaries. (I also recently read “Girl in a Band” by Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon.) I’m not sure what this choice says about me since I’m currently in a period of trying to back away from my career defining who I am. But anyway, about Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka’s book… This is a plain-spoken extraordinary tale of a Ugandan woman who decided she would be a wildlife veterinarian in a country where women rarely get to pursue careers that require advanced degrees, and also where there had never yet been a single wildlife veterinarian. She describes how she achieved this goal with dogged-determination and some help at crucial points from people with the means to do so. She goes on to discuss how her work made it clear to her that wildlife conservation needs to be tightly coupled with the health and livelihoods of the people who live at the boundaries of wildlife conservation parks. Her story of her dedication to wildlife health recounts the ways that social struggles, political strife, sexism, racism, and poverty are interwoven into the trajectory of a budding nonprofit organization that seeks to keep mountain gorillas from going extinct. At times I found the book a little too obviously in praise of her country’s government leadership and her program’s top financial supporters, but I suppose that’s all part of the necessary work that keeps her wildlife conservation and public health projects successful. I’ve spent some time in the past few years working on a wildlife disease project in Uganda, and can’t help thinking how several of the Ugandans I’ve worked with could have a similar positive impact if they were able to access similar opportunities. Above all else, this book shows how developing nations already have the future experts who can solve their own problems if given a decent amount of support and training.
October 6, 2023
An inspiring story, and a wonderful demonstration of the intricacies of community-based conservation. There's a crude expression - "if it pays, it stays" - that much of wildlife management centers around. While there's an element of that here, Dr. Gladys takes a different approach through healthcare by providing communities close to mountain gorillas and other African wildlife with health education and opportunities for treatment and family planning. Decreasing the disease risk to wildlife and improving human life simultaneously. And with ecotourism and sustainable farming practices, the villages have pride in and desire to protect local wildlife. As Gladys points out, when you engage and empower women on the ground, conservation endeavors are more likely to succeed. I would take that a step farther to say engaging and empowering communities as a whole will provide better success. As much as I admire Dian Fossey's groundbreaking work, it's become clear she made a fatal error by treating locals like the Batwa as bad actors rather than trying to understand motives and traditions.
Wildlife tourism can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's a source of revenue and value in animals as more than meat or tusks. However, there's a risk of disease transmission, especially in great apes that share our DNA. And when tourism grinds to a halt, such as the COVID pandemic, the loss of income can lead to poaching to feed hungry families. But when managed responsibly in a manner that protects wildlife and isn't the sole source of income for a community, it can be a powerful conservation tool turning visitors into advocates and stewards.
Wildlife tourism can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's a source of revenue and value in animals as more than meat or tusks. However, there's a risk of disease transmission, especially in great apes that share our DNA. And when tourism grinds to a halt, such as the COVID pandemic, the loss of income can lead to poaching to feed hungry families. But when managed responsibly in a manner that protects wildlife and isn't the sole source of income for a community, it can be a powerful conservation tool turning visitors into advocates and stewards.
March 8, 2025
Walking with Gorillas is an awe-inspiring memoir that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the life and work of Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian and a true trailblazer in conservation. From her early passion for animals to founding an innovative organization that bridges the gap between human and wildlife health, Dr. Gladys’ story is one of resilience, determination, and hope. What makes this book truly special is the way Dr. Gladys intertwines personal experiences with larger themes of conservation, public health, and community-driven change. She doesn’t just tell a story—she showcases the power of collaboration, compassion, and science in creating sustainable solutions for people and wildlife alike. Her One Health approach, which connects human well-being with wildlife conservation, is both revolutionary and deeply inspiring.
Dr. Gladys' writing is engaging, heartfelt, and filled with fascinating firsthand accounts—from treating mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to overcoming barriers in a male-dominated field. She shares the triumphs and challenges of working in conservation with honesty and grace, making this a must-read for anyone passionate about wildlife, sustainability, and making a difference in the world. Whether you’re a fan of Jane Goodall or Dian Fossey, or simply someone who loves stories of perseverance and purpose, Walking with Gorillas is a book that will stay with you long after the final page. Highly recommended!
Dr. Gladys' writing is engaging, heartfelt, and filled with fascinating firsthand accounts—from treating mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to overcoming barriers in a male-dominated field. She shares the triumphs and challenges of working in conservation with honesty and grace, making this a must-read for anyone passionate about wildlife, sustainability, and making a difference in the world. Whether you’re a fan of Jane Goodall or Dian Fossey, or simply someone who loves stories of perseverance and purpose, Walking with Gorillas is a book that will stay with you long after the final page. Highly recommended!
December 4, 2024
This was a fantastic read! I have to admit that the prose is fairly workmanlike, but the scientific intellect behind it is compelling and enormously influential. Kalema-Zikusoka, who is Uganda's first wildlife vet, began her career working with the gorillas of that country. It soon became plain to her, however, that disease could cross over from human to gorilla and back, and so - to be an effective environmentalist - she had to find a way to merge conservation and public health. By the end of the book, she's spent some thirty years with this as her focus, and it is the best illustration I've ever read about the importance of breaking down barriers between conservation and other economic and social practices.
The Ugandan gorillas mean tourist dollars, and so there's an economic incentive to protecting those animals - which means that issues of infection, agriculture, birth control, education, and business come into play as supporting pillars in conservation. It's clear, too, that although gorillas are Kalema-Zikusoka's primary conservation focus, that the interconnection of human and nonhuman that she explores here can be applied to other species. The brief example of the hippos dropping dead after contracting anthrax, for example, was shocking.
This is going on my list of books to buy (as this one has to be returned to the library today). What an excellent argument for conservation, and what a fantastic scientist Kalema-Zikusoka is!
The Ugandan gorillas mean tourist dollars, and so there's an economic incentive to protecting those animals - which means that issues of infection, agriculture, birth control, education, and business come into play as supporting pillars in conservation. It's clear, too, that although gorillas are Kalema-Zikusoka's primary conservation focus, that the interconnection of human and nonhuman that she explores here can be applied to other species. The brief example of the hippos dropping dead after contracting anthrax, for example, was shocking.
This is going on my list of books to buy (as this one has to be returned to the library today). What an excellent argument for conservation, and what a fantastic scientist Kalema-Zikusoka is!
March 10, 2025
[Kindle & Audible] Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka's work is truly inspiring. Her journey as a wildlife veterinarian and conservationist is admirable, and I really enjoyed many aspects of the book.
However, Walking with Gorillas is more of a personal autobiography than a deep dive into gorilla conservation or her veterinary experiences with them. The book focuses on how she founded her NGO and her path in conservation, but if you're looking for a detailed account of gorillas or her hands-on work with them, this might not be the book for you.
I also believe this book is better listened to rather than read. The way it's written makes it feel more suited for a podcast than a structured narrative. Perhaps because it’s an autobiography, some chapters become a bit tedious, as they focus too much on a single objective without a clear progression. Additionally, certain aspects remain unclear, as she doesn’t always explain whether certain achievements were difficult or not.
Despite these weaknesses, Gladys' story truly inspired me and motivated me to explore new paths in conservation. Her determination and commitment to wildlife protection serve as a powerful reminder of how one person can make a difference in the natural world.
⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
However, Walking with Gorillas is more of a personal autobiography than a deep dive into gorilla conservation or her veterinary experiences with them. The book focuses on how she founded her NGO and her path in conservation, but if you're looking for a detailed account of gorillas or her hands-on work with them, this might not be the book for you.
I also believe this book is better listened to rather than read. The way it's written makes it feel more suited for a podcast than a structured narrative. Perhaps because it’s an autobiography, some chapters become a bit tedious, as they focus too much on a single objective without a clear progression. Additionally, certain aspects remain unclear, as she doesn’t always explain whether certain achievements were difficult or not.
Despite these weaknesses, Gladys' story truly inspired me and motivated me to explore new paths in conservation. Her determination and commitment to wildlife protection serve as a powerful reminder of how one person can make a difference in the natural world.
⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
September 25, 2023
I read this because I was one of those tourists who paid to do a Mt. Gorilla trek in Uganda. I am still feeling the impact of my most favorite trip, ever! I only wish this had been written before I did that exceptional trip. While the trek was phenomenal in every way, I wish I would have known the back story that Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka has provided in this read. I had such mixed feelings while on the trek about infringing on the Gorilla territory, and the impact on the local tribes... but after reading the book, I feel it is being handled the best way possible for the situation as it is now. The book was full of background info and was a fascinating read in what Dr Kalema-Zikusoka had accomplished to protect and educate others about these beautiful creatures, who are so close to our own species. The book is very much worth reading for anyone who values the protection of a species who could be easily wiped out, if not protected. Protected from their own native population, protected from tourists, protected from wars, protected from everything! Thank You Dr. Gladys. I feel this book should be required reading for anyone doing a Mt. Gorilla trek.
March 29, 2025
I read this book for a zoo book club, and it really combined many of my interests: animals and conservation projects, nonprofit formation and sustainability, and creative social entrepreneurship. Gladys is a fantastic visionary and persevered against so many odds, inspired by heroes such as Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Dian Fossey, and Dr. Biurite Galdikas (known as the Trimates.) It was very sad to learn about all of the gorillas (and humans) who died under tragic circumstances despite the best efforts to save them. The author is telling an incredible story, which lagged a little in the middle with the recitation of everything they did in each country, but it was all part of what she and her nonprofit were able to accomplish and needed to be included. I also appreciated her frank assessment of what extra barriers she faced as an African Black woman doing this work. Some would not find this interesting as a book and would need the condensed movie version, but I learned a lot by reading this book.
November 26, 2025
I give it 4 stars less for it being a riveting account (although it is, in parts) and more for the sheer amazing scope of accomplishment that veterinarian Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka has worked in the world. Her passion for wildlife conservation and her astute understanding that this can only be successful when the communities nearby have both the power and the stability to assist in the effort is truly a beautiful thing to see. What she and her various organizations have accomplished in improving the lives of endangered animals and deeply impoverished people who've been moved off ancestral lands is deeply moving to me. Her memoir also lays out in exhaustive detail how important it is to talk to the people you are attempting to work with and listen to their ideas; how community based initiatives that center communal ownership and collaborative work are more successful than focusing on individuals, and just how much change a person can effect over time and persistence with the support of family and mentors and friends. This feels like a handbook for changemakers.
October 2, 2023
Read this book for a more recent account of primate conservation work in Africa after reading Among Chimpanzees by Nancy Merrick.
It is an interesting non-fiction read chronicling the work of Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka with the mountain Gorillas of Uganda. This book covers her introduction to wildlife conservation, her various training and field experience and ultimately her founding and work of the non governmental organization (NGO) Conservation Through Public Health. This book is a reflection of the complicated relationship between gorilla conservation and the health and well-being of the people living on the same lands. At times the book focuses on how the health needs of the people of Uganda are being addressed. This can seem disjointed from the mission of saving gorillas but it’s not because the health of gorillas and humans are closely linked. There is no one simple answer, especially when humans and primates can infect each other with various illnesses.
It is an interesting non-fiction read chronicling the work of Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka with the mountain Gorillas of Uganda. This book covers her introduction to wildlife conservation, her various training and field experience and ultimately her founding and work of the non governmental organization (NGO) Conservation Through Public Health. This book is a reflection of the complicated relationship between gorilla conservation and the health and well-being of the people living on the same lands. At times the book focuses on how the health needs of the people of Uganda are being addressed. This can seem disjointed from the mission of saving gorillas but it’s not because the health of gorillas and humans are closely linked. There is no one simple answer, especially when humans and primates can infect each other with various illnesses.
February 16, 2024
I read this for the 2024 52 Book Challenge prompt #6, "women in STEM". This is a fascinating memoir of the first wildlife veterinarian in Uganda. She is an amazing innovator, working with the village members to keep the balance between the animals and the communities healthy and making sure that diseases were not passed from humans to gorillas, and other local animals who are the focus of wildlife tourism. She funded her programs through a lot of international fund raising, and came up with a lot of ways to help protect the animals and improve the lives of the people. She has also received a lot of honors and awards in the course of her career. My only complaint was that the book was filled with acronyms for the various non-profits and agencies she worked with and I had a hard time keeping them straight, but I suspect that's more my problem than hers.
August 15, 2024
This is a fascinating look at the author's life because it covers a lot of years and, with it, a lot of changes.
The forewords in the book give a good idea about what to expect. We begin with the author's background and a little about the political situation in the country and the several changes that occur over the course of several years.
Ideas for the betterment of the situations, both for the gorillas and the communities that lived in proximity to these animals, are found and then worked on to get them right.
As readers, we get an in-depth look at all the hard work and smaller details that go into getting organisations going. It is a unique trajectory and I felt like I learned a lot about various things.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
The forewords in the book give a good idea about what to expect. We begin with the author's background and a little about the political situation in the country and the several changes that occur over the course of several years.
Ideas for the betterment of the situations, both for the gorillas and the communities that lived in proximity to these animals, are found and then worked on to get them right.
As readers, we get an in-depth look at all the hard work and smaller details that go into getting organisations going. It is a unique trajectory and I felt like I learned a lot about various things.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
July 6, 2024
When I was a kid, we had free HBO for a couple of months through some glitch after a promotional weekend back when premium cable was something only for rich families. I was about 9, so 1989ish- and I saw Gorilla's in the Mist one afternoon and I was rivetedand heartbroken and obsessed. The next week, I checked the Dian Fossey book that the film was based on and I read it- this scientific study book about mountain gorilla groups and I kept rechecking it out until I had hit the max limit. Reading this book brought me back to that genuine love of learning and fascination with the conservation of gorillas. The book was simply incredibly interesting, the author indomitably impressive. Loved it. 5 stars.
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July 3, 2023Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is one of those people who makes things happen, and her memoir explores her motivations, her struggles, her successes in wildlife conservation, and her lessons learned. I bought this book because I'm interested in gorillas, and there were plenty of stories about protecting the lives and habitats of these amazing animals. The unexpected reward was gaining a deeper appreciation for the power of the One Health approach to conservation that the author has used so successfully. She writes with frankness and humility, coming across as a very real person who has done remarkable things.
January 13, 2024
What an incredibly inspiring woman Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is! Her life is fascinating as she became Uganda’s first wildlife vet and started an NGO to protect wildlife by joining the goal with protecting human health as well.
When I picked up the book, I got the impression it would be full of stories of her adventures working with wildlife. However, there were disappointingly very few animal stories in a book with this title. Instead, it was a detailed overview of the many people and organizations that got her to where she is today.
It was a lot to get through, but I’m so glad I read this book about such an amazing woman!
When I picked up the book, I got the impression it would be full of stories of her adventures working with wildlife. However, there were disappointingly very few animal stories in a book with this title. Instead, it was a detailed overview of the many people and organizations that got her to where she is today.
It was a lot to get through, but I’m so glad I read this book about such an amazing woman!
August 28, 2025
It’s painful to give this 3 stars because I think the work that Dr. Gladys has done is amazing and you get an understanding of that as you read. I love reading about trailblazing women as well. Unfortunately I think I just didn’t learn enough about gorillas as I had hoped to. Instead, the book goes into a lot of aspects about conservation in action like starting a nonprofit and all the challenges that come with it, especially in rural places. I find this interesting as well but I think ultimately the writing style was a little monotonous for me. Though it was tough to get through I’m happy to have learned about her story and all of her amazing work.
April 14, 2023
This is an absolute must-read book for anyone who love nature and wildlife! This book is a beautiful insight into the working and monumental accomplishments of Dr Gladys and it is just breathtaking. She has done so much for Uganda, gorillas and women. Her passion and compassion have led to a wonderful leap forward the human and animal cohabiting world. I thoroughly enjoyed finding all this out and more, whilst reading the book. I am blown away by just how much I have fallen in love with the book. I can honestly say I loved it and I hold immense respect for Dr Gladys.
December 27, 2023
I'm writing this review months after I finished reading this, but thankfully so since I got to hear Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka speak while on her book tour this year. Her story is deeply inspiring and her one health work is amazing, especially when you take into account the many obstacles that she faced along the way. I learned a great deal from this book as well as from the honor of getting to hear her speak in person. This is an amazing book and belongs on shelves next to the works of Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey.
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