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
Growing mushrooms can help people and gorillas
We know that for conservation to be successful it must also address the needs of the human communities that share …
Beekeeping can help save gorillas
“Sweet” program supports families and protects habitat biodiversity Though undeniably tiny in comparison with a 400-pound silverback gorilla, bees are …
Celebrating the life of silverback gorilla Mafunzo
Silverback gorilla Mafunzo was strong but loving. With just over 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining, every individual is critical to their …
Mother’s Day
Fact 1: Gorillas are super-moms! Like other primates, gorilla mothers have very strong bonds with their infants and provide complete …
Follow Our Journey
The habitat gorillas live in depends on the rich biodiversity that shares their forest home to stay healthy. Without each link in the biodiversity chain, the forest habitat and the animals that live in them will suffer. So, today as we celebrate #internationaldayforbiologicaldiversity we invite you to join us in celebrating gorillas and the incredible biodiversity around them because without one, the others can't survive.
📸: Yntze van der Hoek
Happy 9th birthday, Fasha! Fasha was only 3 years old when our trackers found her caught in a snare. Today, almost 6 years later, Fasha’s story is still a great reminder of just how critical it is that our staff is out in the field 365 days a year. We could not meet this challenge without the incredible support from our donors all around the world. #gorillas #mountaingorillas #nature #conservation
While tiny in comparison to a 400lb silverback gorilla, bees play a vital role in keeping gorillas and their habitats healthy! Check out our full story on beekeeping at our Nkuba Conservation Area in the DR Congo to see how bees are doing their part to save gorillas #worldbeekeepingday (LINK IN BIO)
Today is #endangeredspeciesday and while you might think we protect just gorillas, we actually protect so many more endangered or threatened species that share a forest home with the gorillas we protect! We hope you will join us in bringing awareness and action to the need to save the thousands of animals threatened with extinction. While extinction can’t be reversed, it can be prevented! #wildlifeconservation #nature #gorillas #biodiversity #saveaspecies
We are excited to see our new home featured in @archdigest!
“The architecture will elevate the whole field of conservation.” Dr. Tara Stoinski, President and CEO of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Follow the link in our bio to check out the full article.
📸: Cedric Ujeneza
This past weekend, the Fossey Fund invited students to join other bird watchers across the world to celebrate Global Big Day, which is an annual celebration of the birds around us! Through our citizen science program, our team was able to join 30 students from two schools to watch and count birds in two different locations outside of Volcanoes National Park.
"It's always a good time with my fellow students when we go out in the environment to watch and count birds during Global Big Day. I was surprised and excited to see the endangered Gray crowned crane today. We can't thank the Fossey Fund enough for providing these activities that help us gain more knowledge about nature and birds in particular.” - Ishimwe Patrick, a student and member of the environment club at APICUR school.
📸: Yntze van der Hoek & Cedric Ujeneza
Today is #GlobalBigDay - a day of citizen science celebrating birding! Our teams in Rwanda, The DRC and US are participating today! Take a look at the birds in years past that we have identified! Want to know how you can participate? Head on over to @team_ebird and find out how you can submit all the birds you see today! #wildlifeconservation
🦍Adoptions Update🦍 Our last new gorilla available for adoption is the handsome Imfura! He is a 23 year old silverback that belongs to Pablo’s group. He definitely would love to be a part of your family this Mother’s Day! Head to the link in our bio to adopt today! #gorillaconservation #mountaingorillas
📸: Cedric Ujeneza
Sale extended! Don’t miss your chance to purchase one of our net positive MoonGorilla #NFTs! 100% of proceeds will go towards expanding our protection of gorillas and their forest home! To learn more or purchase your MoonGorilla visit the link in our bio!
Happy May! Here we have mother Akamaro and her 6 month old female infant just relaxing and enjoying a snack! What did you do this weekend? #gorillas #mountaingorillas #conservation
📸: James Munyawera
On April 22, our team joined 60 kids from nature club at Rwinzovu school to celebrate the #earthday under the theme “Invest in our planet”. Using their creative minds, kids competed through poems, songs that reflect the role of Volcanoes National Park and why it is essential that people put their full effort into protecting the mountain gorilla and its habitat. “It was incredibly fun and exciting too!! These outdoor activities are educational and fun at the same time. Thus, they helped me enhance my understanding and learn more about the environment.” Bless Mugisha Moise, a student and member of nature club at Rwinzovu school.
📸: Cedric Ujeneza
DId you know that a gorilla eats up to about 40 pounds of food per day? No wonder they are so massive! #gorillafacts #gorillas #conservation
📸: James Munyawera
Happy 26th birthday to this beautiful girl! Kurudi is currently the oldest in Titus’ group and is mom to Macibiri and Nshunguye. We hope today is full of her favorite snacks and the best napping spot! #gorillaconservation #nature #wildlife
📸: J.P. Samedi Mucyo
As a part of our work in Nkuba, our people-centered model of conservation focuses on food and water security and livelihood initiatives as well as gender equity. This program teaches women to bake bread which not only provides nutritional support, but provides a source of income as well.
