Kwita Izina is here!

Kwita Izina, the ceremony where newborn gorillas are given names, is celebrated annually in Rwanda. I have recently symbolically adopted this little gorilla through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and I can’t wait to learn its name later today.

Several years ago, during their 50th anniversary, I visited the Fossey Fund and had a fantastic time tracking mountain gorillas and learning about the history of the Fund and its Karisoke Research Centre, a legacy of primatologist Dian Fossey.

Helping People, Saving Gorillas

What struck me about the Fossey Fund was its holistic approach to wildlife conservation. Its work goes beyond directly protecting gorillas to uplifting human communities that residing near the gorillas’ natural habitats. Among its human-focused initiatives, the Fund invests in the health of communities in the regions where they work. This effort spans from improving basic infrastructure of rural health clinics, increasing healthcare access for local communities, and holding public health campaigns. This comprehensive approach not only improves human health but also shields gorillas from diseases that can sometimes be transmitted between species.

One Health

The recent COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the links between humans, animal, and the environmental health. This interconnectedness is captured in the concept of One Health, which recognizes that the health of people is closely linked to the health of animals and our shared environment. Beyond infectious disease outbreaks, a One Health lens is important in addressing multifaceted health challenges, from climate change to antimicrobial resistance. Embracing One Health means working collaboratively across sectors including human medicine, veterinary and livestock medicine, agriculture, and public health. Such work is challenging to achieve due to varying priorities, missions, and resources across sectors.

Practical lessons from the ground

Based on recent discussions at the 7th World One Health Congress, it appears that much of the One Health discourse remains focused on policy and science, overlooking the pragmatic facet of work on the ground. As global and public health practitioners, there is much we can learn from groups like the Fossey Fund, that have intuitively practiced a holistic approach to safeguarding the health of animals, humans, and the environment long before the phrase “One Health” was even coined.

I’m super excited about the Kwita Izina and the 23 little mountain gorillas that will be named — a testament to the success of gorilla conservation and the One Health approach.

Check out the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund here.