Adopt A Gorilla
There are only around 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild. 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.
Your adoptions will help protect and ensure the long-term survival of the now endangered mountain gorillas and will help fund our vital work around the world. When you choose an animal adoption, you are supporting both your chosen animals as well as wider work to help bring our world back to life.
Adopt a gorilla 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 that gorillas face
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 the 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). The IGCP is a unique coalition of international conservation organisations, Conservation International, Fauna & Flora International, and WWF, joining forces with national and local partners to ensure the long-term survival of the now endangered mountain gorillas.
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, which 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 and help protect gorillas from disease with extra health and sanitation precautions.
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
- work with local communities to support the diversification of livelihoods and build income generating programmes to help benefit 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
We offer free delivery but ask you to consider helping to cover postage with an optional £3 donation taken at checkout. This means more of your gift can go towards supporting your adoption animal and our wider work.
Your pack will be sent within 2-3 working days - but allow up to 5 working days for it to arrive.
Want to protect other apes too? Check out our adopt an ape page to find out more.
Gorilla Adoption FAQs
Yes, you can adopt a gorilla with WWF. Donations from gorilla adoptions go both directly to support gorillas, as well as to fund our wider work to protect nature and our planet. Adoptions are symbolic for donating and supporting our conservation work with different species. By adopting a gorilla, you will be supporting a whole group of gorillas, rather than one individual.
You can adopt a gorilla with WWF from just £5 a month via Direct Debit, or you can pay with a one-off payment. To adopt a gorilla with WWF, select your donation amount on the widget, click 'Adopt Now' and then complete your donation via our secure online checkout.
You can adopt a gorilla with WWF from just £5 a month via Direct Debit, or you can pay with a one-off payment. Your money goes further by Direct Debit as this supports our long-term planning and helps keep our administration costs down.
When you adopt a gorilla with WWF, your donation will not only fund programs of work that directly support gorillas, but also other vital projects to help bring our world back to life. After adopting a gorilla you'll receive a welcome pack including an optional toy and note from the WWF team welcoming you on board. We'll keep you updated on how you're supporting our vital work by sending you three adoption updates a year.
Gorillas adoptions help us; support locals in using natural resources in a sustainable way to reduce damage to gorilla habitat; train rangers to detect and remove snares set for other animals which can injure or kill gorillas; work with local governments to improve the management of the national parks in which gorillas live.
Gorillas are unfortunately designated as an endangered species, with only around 1,000 gorillas remaining in the wild.
Gorillas are endangered due to habitat loss and their vulnerability to human diseases, even a simple cold can be devastating for an entire population. While poaching is less common, it remains a serious threat to their survival.
The latest census estimates that there are just over 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild.
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