Today Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) joins the rest of the world to celebrate World Health Day.

Celebrated every year on 7th April, the World Health Day is a global health awareness day, under the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO), and other health organizations.

This year’s commemoration comes at a time when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic which has already claimed tens of thousands of lives globally.

In this time of crisis, we wouldn’t normally send an email seeking your support but desperate times call for desperate measures and, with many of our donors facing financial constraints of their own at a time when our One Health programs are needed perhaps more than ever, these are truly desperate times.

We are already seeing evidence of cross-species transmission of COVID-19 to tigers and other animals in zoos and some pets. For one of our closest relatives – the mountain gorillas – with whom we share 98.4% of our DNA, the consequences of COVID-19 infection could be huge, please listen to a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) interview with CTPH Founder and CEO, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka here, that was aired on Saturday 4th April.

Towards the end of March, we trained park staff in Bwindi and Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA) on how to manage and prevent COVID-19 spread amongst people and from humans to gorillas. We are pleased to let you know that they are implementing the measures.

Thanks to your generous donations, we have been able to obtain four infrared thermometers for the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to be used for people who are monitoring the endangered mountain gorillas in this critical time and after the pandemic.