Gladys Kalema visits IPPL

Gladys meets Beanie Photo: Shirley McGreal

Ugandan veterinarian Gladys Kalema, best known for her work with the wild mountain gorillas, visited IPPL during the first weekend of November. The Summerville weather was lovely. Gladys enjoyed meeting the "small apes." Most gibbons weigh less than 20 pounds, in contrast to the huge gorillas who weigh hundreds of pounds. Beanie thought Gladys was wonderful.

Gladys told us about one surgical procedure that saved the life of a wild gorilla. A female gorilla was observed to be suffering from a rectal prolapse, and the prolapsed area was already infested by maggots. The gorilla was darted with a tranquillizer gun and her family members chased away.

Right there in the forest, with no operating room facilities, Gladys carried out a major surgical procedure and administered antibiotics. Thanks to Gladys, her gorilla patient is alive and well.

We at IPPL felt truly honored to have Gladys visit us and have reserved her as a speaker for IPPL-2002.