Helping
Saving
Gorillas are beautiful, resilient animals. But poaching and habitat destruction have pushed their populations to the brink of extinction in recent decades.
Our brave founder, Dian Fossey, knew that gorillas would need human help to survive. Today, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is dedicated to continuing Dian’s work – protecting gorillas while helping and educating the people who live near them.
Check out our new Ellen Campus in Rwanda! Click here for more information.
Dian Fossey:
A Conservation Pioneer
Dian Fossey’s work to study and protect the lives of the wild gorillas in Rwanda touched the hearts of people around the world. Her focus, courage and passion have inspired many conservationists who have followed since. And her legacy lives on today, in the gorilla protection, science, education and people programs of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
What We Do
Daily
Protection
Scientific
Research
Training
Conservationists
Helping
Communities
Fossey
Fund News
Gorillas adjusting to silverback death
When silverback gorilla group leader Mafunzo died in April, Fossey Fund staff were concerned, because he was the only silverback …
Celebrating gorillas on World Environmental Day
All types of conservation action can help save gorillas, so the Fossey Fund works with people to help raise awareness …
Students address gorilla conservation through debate
Since one of our main goals at the Fossey Fund is to help students learn about conservation, we have many …
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Dedicates the New Ellen DeGeneres Campus
$15 million project represents investment in conservation, capacity building, equity and tourism Pictured left to right: MASS Design CEO – …
Follow Our Journey
We love watching older siblings babysit their younger siblings. Iyamarere is especially fond of watching younger sister Twirinde. He is maturing so quickly and we look forward to seeing his younger sister learn from him! #mountaingorillas #nature #conservation
📸: Cedric Ujeneza
Mountain gorillas display their strength in many ways, one of them is by hitting the ground! These displays are made during conflicts, to attract females, or to initiate play - just like blackback Abasore here in this video! And it works! Gasizi follows after him and is ready to play! #mountaingorillas #nature #conservation
📸: James Munyawera
Three year olds Suraurwanda and Uhiriwe have found something intriguing! What do you think it could be? #mountaingorillas #conservation #nature
📸: Nadia Niyonizeye
One year old Nshunguye just can’t believe it is already Sunday! This weekend was not long enough for her at all! How was everyone’s weekend? #mountaingorillas #nature #conservation
📸: Cedric Ujeneza
Happy Saturday! Make sure to kick back, relax, and enjoy the sunshine, just like the gorillas! #mountaingorillas #nature #conservation
📸: Cedric Ujeneza
What a better way to end your Friday than with some cute baby gorilla eyes looking at you! Here is little Nshunguye hanging out with mom Kurudi and making our hearts melt 😍#mountaingorillas #nature #conservation
📸: Cedric Ujeneza
We could watch these guys eat all day! Here is Ishimwe snacking on some Discopodium, which is a genus of flowering plants native to tropical Africa! #nature #conservation #mountaingorilla
📸: Cedric Ujeneza
Today is #UNInternationalDayoftheTropics and we want to highlight the important role the rainforest we help monitor plays in our lives. Not only is the Congo Basin the 2nd largest remaining tropical rainforest left on our planet 🌍, and the home of the Grauer’s gorillas we help protect , but it is also home to an incredible amount of biodiversity, many of which are only found there, that use it as their home. Join us today and help protect gorillas 🦍, their home and our planet. #gorillas #conservation #nature
Two year old Uwacu hanging out on top of mom Isangano eating and being super playful this morning! Did you know that Uwacu is up for symbolic adoption? #nature #conservation #mountaingorillas
📸: James Munyawera
Musilikale (which translates to ‘soldier’ in kinyarwanda) is the dominant silverback of his group, which has a total of 24 gorillas! He is the largest male we monitor and will do everything in his power to protect his group. Here he is displaying to protect his family!
📸: Eric Ndayishimiye
Earlier this month, we set up a new camera trap on our Ellen Campus to study the biodiversity that is returning to the area that was previously used as agricultural land. Excitingly… we already have had some visitors! Last week our cameras caught a side-striped jackal and common genet. This is a great suggestion that biodiversity, both small and large, is returning to the area! #conservation #biodiversity
👀 WATCH 👀 as older brother Iyamarere protects younger sister Twirinde from a group mate that gets a little too excited. Did you know that Twirinde is currently available for adoption? #mountaingorillas #nature #conservation
📸: Cedric Ujeneza
Go little one, go! Ikaze’s infant is learning how to stand up by using the foot of dominant silverback, Musilikale, who may have gotten a little tickle from the baby gorilla’s tiny fingers. #mountaingorillas #wildlifeconservation #nature #conservation #gorillas
📸: James Munyawera
