Expanding the area of protection for Grauer’s gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by 250%, to nearly 2,400 square kilometers.Doubling the number of staff in Africa, to nearly 300,two-thirds of whom are trackers and researchers protecting and studying gorillas and the surrounding biodiversity 365 days a year.Mountain gorillas are the only ape whose numbers are not declining. Assisting with the direct protection and the continued increase in the mountain gorilla population and an improvement of conservation status from critically endangered to endangered in 2018.The Fossey Fund is proud to announce the following growth of its programs, facilities, and impact since the organization’s last milestone anniversary: Fossey Fund five-year highlights: Today, the Fossey Fund protects almost 600,000 acresof some of the earth’s most biodiverse forests, which contain an estimated quarter billion tons of carbon and are critical in fighting climate change. Since the first World Gorilla Day, the Fossey Fund has significantly stepped up efforts to protect and preserve gorillas and their forest habitats, and support the livelihoods of people in surrounding communities. It is also the world’s oldest and largest continuously operating project focused on gorillas and has one of the largest scientific databases on any species. Climate change is accelerating, forest loss is increasing, and we are witnessing the sixth great mass extinction of species. Unfortunately though, the biodiversity of the planet is under threat like never before. Now, on the Fossey Fund’s 55 th anniversary, mountain gorillas are rebounding from the brink of extinction.

Established in 1967 to commemorate the 50 th anniversary of the work of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the special occurrence marks the day she set up her two tents and began groundbreaking mountain gorilla research in the forests of Rwanda. * Please no laptops or large electronics.Today is World Gorilla Day. Please contact Natasha Tworoski at to learn more or set up your own collection. Thank you to our partners who helped us collect in 2022!

Recycling old cell phones helps reduce the demand for these conflict materials, which protect gorillas and humans alike.

Mining in this region has also created military and economic conflict for the people who live there. The more new electronics we create, the less forest there is for gorillas and many other species. A primary location for mining these substances is the rainforest in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which also happens to be pristine gorilla habitat. Along with coltan, gold, tungsten and tin are three additional minerals used in electronics. What do gorillas and electronics have in common?Ī critical component of cell phones, tablets, mp3 players, phone chargers and other small electronics is a mineral called coltan. We are excited to share that we are participating in the Gorillas on the Line (GOTL) campaign! GOTL works with ECO-CELL, an electronics recycling company to tally and recycle old electronic devices, with a portion of the funds generated through the recycling of these devices going to AZA’s Gorilla SAFE, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society for support of on-ground protection of Grauer’s and cross river gorillas.ĭonate your used cell phones, smart phones, iPads, iPods, tablets, Apple watches, adapters and chargers, MP3 players, handheld gaming devices and headphones and benefit the annual Gorillas on the Line (GOTL) campaign in the specially designated collection bin located in the Membership Office! Better yet, host a recycle collection in your class, school, or club to help save gorillas.

Donate dian fossey gorilla fund