Dominique Bikaba, a 54-year-old conservationist from South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has dedicated his life to protecting the endangered Grauer’s gorillas and supporting local communities affected by conflict and displacement. Growing up near Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Bikaba was deeply influenced by his upbringing within the Batwa community, learning about coexistence with nature. He began his conservation work in 1992, responding to tensions between displaced communities and park authorities. The ongoing conflicts in the DRC have severely impacted wildlife, with the Grauer's gorilla population declining from approximately 17,000 to around 3,800. In 2009, Bikaba founded Strong Roots Congo to promote conservation alongside community rights. The organization has established 23 community forests covering about 600,000 hectares and is working towards creating a biodiversity corridor to secure 1 million hectares for wildlife and Indigenous communities. Bikaba emphasizes the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge into conservation efforts, arguing that local communities are essential to protecting the forest. As fighting continues in eastern DRC, the future of Grauer’s gorillas remains uncertain, but Bikaba remains committed to fostering peace and conservation.