Adopt A Gorilla
Disease poses serious threats to mountain gorillas. They are highly susceptible to human respiratory illnesses, and we need to assume that the virus which causes COVID-19 is no different. We’re supporting contingency planning to minimise the risk to mountain gorillas during the coronavirus outbreak. Mountain gorilla tourism is suspended, with only essential monitoring of the gorillas continuing.
Your Adoption Really Helps
Animal adoptions like yours give a huge boost to our work. They not only help fund projects to work with local communities to monitor gorilla movement and reduce human-gorilla conflict but also fund our other vital work around the world.
Protect these incredible animals and receive
They're found in high-altitude montane and bamboo forests – sometimes at elevations of 4,000m – where they mainly eat leaves, shoots and stems. Mountain gorillas generally live in groups with several females and their young, and one dominant male. Dominant males are known as ‘silverbacks’ because they have a patch of silver hair on their back and hips – which they develop when they’re about 12-15 years old.
Threats
HABITAT LOSS
Mountain gorillas live in some of the most densely-populated parts of Africa – the gorillas are now confined to isolated high-altitude forests.
POACHING
Although poaching of gorillas is now thankfully uncommon, they can still often get caught in snares set for other wildlife, causing injury and even death.
HUMAN ILLNESS
Because gorillas share much of our DNA, they can contract illnesses from people – but they don’t have the immune system to fight them. Even a simple cold can devastate an entire gorilla population.
HUMAN-GORILLA CONFLICT
Mountain gorillas sometimes come out of forest and raid crops. This can lead to conflict with people trying to protect their livelihoods.
How We Can Help
In 1991 we co-founded the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP). This coalition currently consists of ourselves, Flora and Fauna International and the three governments of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
As well as monitoring mountain gorillas, we support local people in using their natural resources in a sustainable way that doesn’t damage mountain gorilla habitat. We also try to find ways to reduce people’s need to enter mountain gorilla habitat. For instance, we’re developing alternative plantations for wood and charcoal and installing water-harvesting tanks and better sanitation systems. This eases the pressure on the forests and the risk of people passing on diseases to the gorillas.
We promote ecotourism so people can see the benefit of living alongside mountain gorillas, though this is currently paused for their protection during the coronavirus outbreak.
Your adoption and support will help us:
- train rangers to detect and safely remove snares set for other animals, which can often severely injure or kill gorillas
- help to protect vital gorilla habitat
- support regular surveys of mountain gorilla populations
- work with local governments to improve the management of the national parks where mountain gorillas live
- fund our other essential work around the world
Mountain gorillas share up to 98% of their DNA with us.
Last minute gift?
Free delivery
Your pack will be sent within 2-3 working days - but allow up to 5 working days for it to arrive.
Any other questions?
Take a look at our adoption FAQs
