Dr. Annelisa Kilbourn, 35, of Norwalk, Connecticut, was killed on Nov. 2nd in a plane crash in Lope Nature Preserve in the central African nation of Gabon. The pilot and two other passengers survived the crash of the twin engine plane with minor injuries.

Dr. Kilbourn was a field veterinarian for the Bronx Zoo-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and was working in Gabon and Congo. She was leading investigations into the Ebola virus’ effects on wildlife, including gorillas and chimpanzees. Her work in the field provided the first proof that gorillas quickly die of the deadly virus, which could explain the disappearance of gorillas from large areas of Africa. She also had extensive experience in Asia where she studied the Sumatran Rhino and initiated a CyberTracker monitoring and evaluation project there also through SOS Rhino.

Dr. Kilbourne received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tufts University in 1996 and immediately returned to field work, devoting herself to the hands-on protection of free-ranging wildlife. She researched, pioneered and implemented ground-breaking identification and tracking methods which won her acclaim for helping save species such as the orangutan from extinction.

Annelisa’s absence will be felt by all who knew her and had the privilege of working with her.

WCS has announced the creation of a memorial fund in her honour to help veterinarians in other countries. For more details please visit the tribute to Dr. Kilbourn.