Over the past five years, Project V.E.T.S. has donated crucial pieces of equipment and supplies that has allowed Gorilla Doctors to continue to provide the best health care to eastern gorillas and other species of animals in the region. To date, Project V.E.T.S. has donated blood chemistry analyzers, centrifuges, computers, surgical instruments, medications, and microscopes. This fall, Project V.E.T.S came through once again, donating a valuable blood analysis system, called an IDEXX VetLab Station. 

Dr. Methode Bahizi works with the newly donated Idexx computer at the Gorilla Doctors regional lab in Rwanda.

This system handles biochemistry, hematology, urinalysis and electrolyte level evaluation. The information is processed through a touch screen computer that integrates the data into a single report for a comprehensive look at a patient’s health. 

Dr. Methode Bahizi works with the newly donated Idexx computer at the Gorilla Doctors regional lab in Rwanda.

“We will use the IDEXX for the gorilla health care and other wildlife blood analysis, as well as domestic animals such as the Congo bloodhounds” said Gorilla Doctors Regional Veterinary Manager Dr. Dawn Zimmerman. “In the Spring, when [BioBank Manager] Jen Sohl travels to Africa to set it up, the system will be moved to the Senkwekwe Center in Rumangabo, DRC where the four mountain gorilla orphans live.”

A huge heartfelt thanks to Project V.E.T.S. for their continual support of our work. To learn more about Project V.E.T.S. and the critical support they have provided Gorilla Doctors over the years, click here.

You can follow the Gorilla Doctors health monitoring efforts on our Facebook page, where we post photos and notes from our monthly visits.

Please consider supporting us by making a secure online donation. Every dollar you give goes to directly supporting our gorilla health programs and One Health initiative. Thank you for your generosity.

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