This April, cult skate documentarian and globally showcased photographer Ian Reid introduces his new photobook, Positive Tracks, which captures the strength and resilience of the extraordinary communities surrounding the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
The imagery in Positive Tracks illustrates that the best way to protect endangered species is to empower the vulnerable communities living nearby. A 2019 census reported a mere 1,063 mountain gorillas remaining in the world today. Reid’s photography shares the human narratives that have enabled gorilla conservation efforts, highlighting transformed hunters, beekeepers, wardens, local educational institutions, and sports clubs, all of whom are crucial to supporting the fragile yet remarkable ecosystem of the mountain gorillas.
Among those featured in the book is Young Simba FC, a local football club making a significant impact on young lives. Sam Mugisha, who fled Rwanda as an 8-year-old refugee in the 1990s, reflects in Positive Tracks on how two decades of training with the club changed his life. Through sports sponsorship, he was able to finish his education and attend university. Sam has since continued this mission by founding Running With Sam, further demonstrating the transformative potential of sports in communities worldwide.
Filled with previously unpublished photographs, the book showcases striking portraits of reformed poachers who once hunted bush meat for survival and are now learning to farm. British couple Leo and Casey Gripari created That Gorilla Brand to support the essential efforts of the Gorilla Organization, aiming not only to prevent further decline in gorilla numbers but also to increase the mountain gorilla population.
Their initiatives have expanded to fund water and sanitation projects benefiting thousands in Bwindi, and this year, they plan to rebuild a local school near the habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas, striving to ensure the community's children receive an education and support.
In Spring, That Gorilla Brand launched the photobook Positive Tracks, with proceeds from each sale dedicated to documenting the strength and resilience of the remarkable communities in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest that aid the Ugandan mountain gorillas. The book emphasizes that empowering local communities is essential for truly safeguarding endangered species. Ian Reid's beautiful images tell the stories behind the gorilla conservation initiatives, highlighting the roles of reformed hunters, beekeepers, wardens, local schools, and sports clubs in maintaining the gorillas’ unique and delicate ecosystem.
The book tracks the transitions of reformed poachers, now farmers, and the efforts made to provide clean water and education to their communities. That Gorilla Brand's Bwindi Community Projects work to secure human rights, dignity, and opportunities for the human populations neighboring the endangered mountain gorillas.
Ian’s insightful photography features these reformed poachers who have become agriculturalists through participation in The Gorilla Organization’s programs. His work reflects the intersection of reality and imagination, inviting viewers to explore the hidden stories of his captivating subjects. Reid’s work has been showcased at the Saatchi Gallery in London and the Museum of the City of New York.
His photobooks are included in library collections worldwide, such as the 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 founded on a profound love for nature and outdoor experiences, united by a collective vision to create positive change. Through determination and passion, That Gorilla Brand has turned into a high-quality lifestyle brand representing apparel, adventures, and film.
Adventure and curiosity are at the core of That Gorilla Brand, which is built on integrity and honesty. They inspire hope and encourage everyone to join their journey. The primary mission of That Gorilla Brand is to protect endangered mountain gorillas while empowering nearby human populations. They aim to make a meaningful and lasting impact by offering high-quality lifestyle products, organizing fundraising events, and documenting their initiatives, all while committing to responsible practices.
“These individuals once spent most of their time poaching in the forest. They had to transition from poachers to farmers. We took it upon ourselves to educate them, build their skills, and provide them with equipment,” explains Dr. Samson Weikhe, Programmes Manager for The Gorilla Organization.
“After reforming and now growing vegetables on the farm, we can send our children to school with our harvest,” states Kanezio Bandebaho, a reformed poacher.
That Gorilla Brand’s founder, Leo Gripari, also raises funds through challenging international endeavors such as ultra-marathons and treks in some of the world’s most extreme locations, known as Adventures for a Cause. Leo has summited Mount Olympus, trekked 100 kilometers across the Grand Canyon in four days, completed a marathon amid harsh conditions in Iceland, traversed the desert of Wadi Rum in Jordan, and finished a 50-kilometer ultra-marathon around Lake Mutanda in Uganda, where he was accompanied by children from the Lake Mutanda Runners Club during the final six kilometers.
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This April, renowned skate documentarian and globally displayed photographer Ian Reid releases a poignant new photobook titled Positive Tracks that chronicles the