DR. GLADYS KALEMA-ZIKUSOKA

DR. GLADYS KALEMA-ZIKUSOKA
Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, worked for four and a half years as a Veterinary Officer for the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). She set up a veterinary unit that had not been functioning for 30 years, under the guidance of the executive director and deputy director of field operations and plenty of support from other national and international organizations. The work she did in UWA was recorded in human interest documentaries on BBC1, National Geographic Explorer, Uganda Television, South Africa TV MNet, Animal Planet and Broadcast Network. She went on to participate in a three year zoological medicine residency and master in specialized veterinary medicine program at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Zoological Park, USA. During this program she carried out *research on "Tuberculosis at the human/wildlife/domestic animal interface in Uganda." In 2003, she obtained a certificate in non-profit management from Duke University in the USA.

* The research was funded as a Charlotte Fellowship Conservation Award from African Wildlife Foundation.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka’s interest in conservation started in high school in Uganda, where she revived the Kibuli Secondary School Wildlife Club that had not been functioning for a few years. Together with her biology teacher, Mr. Justus Acungwire and the General Secretary of Uganda Wildlife Clubs, Mr. Charles Birigenda, they took children for a field trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park. At this time there was so little wildlife in the parks that it was safe enough to walk. They also designed bird feeding tables and hosted several debating clubs. Her mother was the first donor, giving funds for stickers.

This was a turning point in her life, where she decided that she wanted to be a vet who also works with wild animals. Her vet career started in London, where she attended the Royal Veterinary College, University of London and obtained a Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine degree prior to beginning her first job as the Uganda Wildlife Authority Veterinary Officer. Gladys feels that the next way that she can make a significant contribution to her country is by also helping people living next to the wildlife through Conservation Through Public Health.

LETTER FROM DR. KALEMA-ZIKUSOKA

"One of my first cases when I worked as a veterinarian for the Uganda Wildlife Authority was having to deal with the first scabies outbreak in mountain gorillas. The scabies was thought to have been contracted through human clothing. An infant mountain gorilla called Ruhara was infected with suspected human skin mites and lost most of its hair, developed white scaly skin, and later died of scabies and pneumonia. Scabies is preventable and Ruhara’s death could have been prevented. The rest of the mountain gorilla group recovered after treatment with Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic. Four years later another outbreak occurred in a larger group of over 15 gorillas, and it took several months to control the infection. This made me realize how little health care people bordering this national park had, and how this was affecting their ecotourism income. We realized that if this important source of income is to remain forever, both people and gorillas need to have adequate health care. This inspired us to establish Conservation Through Public Health.”

“I feel that I want to make a difference not only in wildlife conservation, but in people’s lives, too. I care deeply about the people who further conservation either through their work as employees or as people who tolerate the negative impacts of conservation on a regular basis such as "problem" gorillas and elephants destroying their crops and livelihoods. Inspite of these problems, I believe that local communities who suffer at the hands of wildlife can still promote conservation. Local communities will recognize this as their health care improves over time. Frequently the needs of people and wildlife clash, through this program, both their health needs will be met and enhanced, creating a "win - win" situation. My husband, Lawrence Zikusoka, is supporting the idea because he too, feels a great need to help people in rural areas, and reduce the poverty in Africa. We feel that together we will make part of a great team to bring many people together, especially Ugandans, to promote conservation and public health”