newborn mountain gorilla looking at the camera

Adopt A Gorilla

Mountain gorillas are some of our closest relatives, sharing 98% of their DNA with humans. Sadly, we may also be their biggest threat. There are only around 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild.

Your adoption 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 animal as well as wider work to bring our world back to life.

Adopt a gorilla and receive

Cuddly Toy

An exclusive WWF soft toy to remind you of the good you’re doing.
Toy may vary from image shown.

Welcome Pack

Choose between our standard welcome pack or a pack created for children under 12.

Regular Updates

Updates including three heart-warming gorilla stories a year with lots of lovely pictures.

Extra Goodies

A personalised adoption certificate and stylish virtual background.

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. Adult 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.

Map graphic detailing gorilla habitat ranges

Threats that gorillas face

Circle with text reading sixty percent of gorillas live in virunga national park

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 mountain 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 could have devastating impacts.

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, and WWF, joining forces with national and local partners to ensure the long-term survival of the now endangered mountain gorillas.

As well as supporting the monitoring and protection of mountain gorillas, we support local people in using their natural resources in a more sustainable way, reducing damage to mountain gorilla habitat and people’s need to enter protected areas, which eases the pressure on the forests and the risk of people passing on diseases to the gorillas.

We promote responsible 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 severely injure or kill gorillas
work with local communities to build income-generating programmes to help benefit people and gorillas
help to protect vital gorilla habitat
support regular surveys of mountain gorillas
work with local governments to improve management of gorilla habitats in and around national parks
fund our other essential work around the world

Portrait of Gorilla sitting in front of forest — © Andrew Rugema / IGCP

Mountain gorillas share more than 98% of their DNA with us.

Last minute gift?

Letter thanking supporter for adopting a gorilla with WWF

Adopt a gorilla as a last minute gift! You can print or email a personalised gift certificate online to give on the day.

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

Can you adopt a gorilla?

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.

How do I adopt a gorilla?

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.

How much does it cost to adopt a gorilla?

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.

What happens when you adopt a gorilla?

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.

How does WWF help gorillas?

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.

Are gorillas endangered?

Gorillas are unfortunately designated as an endangered species, with only around 1,000 gorillas remaining in the wild.

Why are gorillas endangered?

Gorillas are endangered due to habitat loss and their vulnerability to human diseases; even a simple cold could have devastating impacts. While direct poaching of mountain gorillas is now uncommon, indiscriminate snares remain a serious threat to their survival.

How many gorillas are left in the world?

The latest census estimates that there are just over 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild.

How is WWF different from other charities?

WWF is part of a global network and works in more than 100 countries, combining international influence with local conservation projects. Rather than focusing on just one issue, WWF addresses the bigger picture. It works on climate change, wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and sustainable consumption. WWF's work is guided by the latest research and scientific evidence to ensure long-term and sustainable impact. WWF doesn't only work with scientists, we also collaborate with governments, businesses, local communities, and of course our supporters to drive systemic change and promote sustainable practices worldwide - all to help bring our world back to life.