By Nelson Bukamba, field veterinarian, Uganda

Last Friday as I was trekking through Bwindi on my way to administer deworming medication to silverback Kabukojo of Rushegura group, I received an urgent call from trackers. Six-year-old juvenile Bigorogoro in Mubare group was caught in a snare. Trackers said he was visibly distressed and emitting high-pitched screams indicative of both pain and fear.

Mubare group was at least two kilometers (a little over a mile) away from where I was, which may not seem very far, but it is not called the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for no reason! By the time I arrived, trackers had successfully cut the wire to free Bigorogoro from the tree stump, despite silverback Maraya’s aggressive displays to protect the juvenile.

Initially, the wire remained entangled around three of the toes on his left foot, but before we could intervene, Bigorogoro managed to remove the wire himself! I observed him for some time to visually assess the condition of his foot as well as his movement – I knew that there had been some injury, as there were traces of blood on the wire.

Fortunately, his foot was not swollen. He had only superficial wounds on the toes that the wire had been wrapped around. His movement and activities (e.g. play) were mostly normal, although he limped a bit when keeping up with group.

Trackers will keep a close eye on Bigorogoro over the next several days and will notify Gorilla Doctors if any changes occur in his behavior or wounds. Additionally, park authorities have mobilized ranger patrol teams to conduct a de-snaring sweep of the area.

On a personal note, snares usually cause significant stress and injury to a gorilla when caught. It is always the preferred outcome when our gorilla patients do not require our intervention or treatment. I was quite relieved when Bigorogoro removed the snare himself and with such minimal damage to his foot.

Back I go to Rushegura group to treat silverback Kabukojo for gastrointestinal parasites…more on that soon.

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