This April, cult skate documentarian and internationally exhibited photographer Ian Reid unveils moving new photobook Positive Tracks that documents the strength and resilience of the remarkable communities of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda.
The photography in Positive Tracks reveals the only the way to protect endangered species is to empower the vulnerable communities living around them. In 2019 the last census recorded only 1,063 mountain gorillas left in existence today. Reid’s photography tells the human stories that have made gorilla conservation possible – the reformed hunters, beekeepers, wardens, local schools, and football and running clubs who are all essential to the mountain gorillas fragile but extraordinary ecosystem.
Also profiled in the book is Young Simba FC, a local football club changing young lives. Sam Mugisha fled Rwanda in the 1990s as an 8-year-old refugee. Sam talks in Positive Tracks about how training in the club for 20 years changed his life. Sam eventually found sports sponsorship which allowed him to finish schooling and even attend university. Sam has continued this legacy by founding Running With Sam. These images in Positive Tracks are a testament to the power sport has to transform communities around the world.
With previously unseen photography on every page, the book features standout portraits recording the journey of reformed poachers who used to hunt bush meat for food being taught to farm. British couple Leo and Casey Gripari established That Gorilla Brand with a mission to support the vital ongoing work undertaken by the Gorilla Organization, not only to stop this number from dwindling further, but to grow the mountain gorilla population.
Their work has evolved to fund both water and sanitation projects for thousands of people around Bwindi and this year they will aim to rebuild a local school, close to the endangered mountain gorilla’s habitat, to endeavour to ensure that the generation of the community is educated and supported.
This Spring, That Gorilla Brand has released a photobook called Positive Tracks, with funds donated per sale. It documents the strength and resilience of the remarkable communities of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, that function to support the Ugandan mountain gorillas. This fascinating ecosystem that must flourish and evolve for the gorilla population to thrive.
The new book shows how the only way to truly protect endangered species is to empower the vulnerable communities living around them. It features beautiful images captured by Ian Reid documenting the stories behind the gorilla conservation plans – the reformed hunters, beekeepers, wardens, local schools, football and running clubs, all playing their part in sustaining the gorilla’s unique and fragile ecosystem.
The book records the journey of reformed poachers who used to hunt bush meat for food being taught to farm to the efforts to made to bring clean water and education to the local community. That Gorilla Brand’s Bwindi Community Projects strive to secure human rights, dignity and opportunity for the human communities that surround the endangered mountain gorillas.
Ian’s insightful photographs profile the reformed poachers who are now agriculturalists after taking part in The Gorilla Organization’s programmes. Ian’s work that embodies the convergence of reality and imagining, inviting viewers to explore the hidden stories of his captivating subjects. Reid’s work has been shown at the Saatchi Gallery, London and Museum of the City of New York.
His photo-books are kept in the collections of libraries around the world including Library of Congress,
Brooklyn Public Library, Harvard University Library, New York Public Library, Princeton University Library, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Library and Sächsische Landesbibliothek in Dresden.
That Gorilla Brand is a premium conservation lifestyle brand born through a deep-rooted love of nature and the outdoors and a shared collective vision to do well by doing good. Through sheer grit, strength of spirit and everlasting energy That Gorilla Brand has evolved into a premium lifestyle brand that encompasses apparel, adventures and film.
At the heart of That Gorilla Brand lies adventure and curiosity, embedded in their DNA is integrity and honesty. They lead with hope and everyone can be a part of their journey. That Gorilla Brand’s ‘raison d’être’ is the preservation of the endangered mountain gorilla and the empowerment of the human populations who live nearby. They endeavour to make a real and lasting difference by providing supreme quality lifestyle products, organising fundraising experiences and documenting them. In doing so, they
are committed to ensuring that their products, adventures and media are conducted and made responsibly.
“These are guys who used to spend most of their time in the forest poaching animals. They had to change their lifestyle from poachers to agriculturalists. We took on educating them, building capacity, giving them implements.” The Gorilla Organization Dr Samson Weikhe, Programmes Manager for The Gorilla Organization explains.
“After reforming and now growing vegetables here at the farm, with the harvest, we can now send our children to school.” – Kanezio Bandebaho, reformed poacher.
That Gorilla Brand’s British founder Leo Gripari also raises money by completing gruelling international challenges including Ultra Marathons and treks in some of the most extreme locations in the world. The brand calls these Adventures for a Cause. Leo has climbed to the peak of Mount Olympus, completed a 100 kilometre, four-day hike through the Grand Canyon, ran a marathon through extreme conditions in Iceland, faced the desert of Wadi Rum, Jordan, and completed a 50 kilometre ultra-marathon around Lake Mutanda in Uganda, with children from the Lake Mutanda Runners Club joining Leo for the final six kilometres. Collectively they have raised over 350,000 Euros to date.
Leo’s challenges and Positive Tracks are a testament to the transformative power of sport in communities around the world. Also profiled in the book is Young Simba FC, a local football club changing young lives. Sam Mugisha fled Rwanda in the 1990s as an eight year-old refugee. Sam talks in Positive Tracks about how training in the club for 20 years changed his life. Sam eventually found sports sponsorship which allowed him to finish his education and even attend University. Sam has continued this legacy by founding Running With Sam, a local running club.
“The children, my friends who didn’t join the club [Young Simba FC] weren’t so lucky and died ill, addicted, or of violent deaths.” – Sam Mugisha.
That Gorilla Brand is a story that starts with gorillas…but it’s also about so much more. It is a story about uniting people and communities, about our changing climate and the conservation of our biodiverse world. It documents essential community requirements, such as provision of essential clean water, education and empowerment to the communities who live in the neighbouring areas of the gorilla habitats.
That Gorilla Brand is second only to the EU as the largest donor to The Gorilla Organization. Positive Tracks comes ahead of That Gorilla Brand’s powerful debut feature documentary MAJI – released later this year which will highlight the global water crisis and follow Leo’s global fundraising challenges. A new clothing collection is to be unveiled for Summer 2025.
That Gorilla Brand’s next challenge is underway at Lake Annecy in France in May with the aim to raise funds for the renovation & construction of the Nyagakenke Village Primary School. This will build on the already successful Bwindi Community Projects, with the purpose of delivering conservation, education and economic development benefits to communities whose wellbeing impacts the protection of the endangered mountain gorillas of Uganda.
“It is one of the biggest privileges that I’ve ever had in my life to be able to be close to the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. You’re tracking through the forest, you’re looking around, you’re trying to get that first glimpse. And for me, the look in the eyes. I’ve never seen anything like it before.” – Leo Gripari, Founder, That Gorilla Brand. “A cycle has been broken” comments Jillian Miller, Executive Director of The Gorilla Organization.
‘Positive Tracks’ is available to purchase HERE (RRP £37.99) and proceeds go to The Gorilla Organisation. Images by Ian Reid with accompanying text by Kathy Chan.
Follow That Gorilla Brand’s adventures for a cause HERE and watch the ‘MAJI’ trailer HERE.
