World Gorilla Day

World Gorilla Day creates the opportunity for people all over the world to come together in celebrating the gorilla, and more importantly, taking action to protect gorillas in the wild.

2017 was the inaugural year for World Gorilla Day and it also marked the fiftieth anniversary of Karisoke Research Center, operated by The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI). Established by Dian Fossey, Karisoke is the longest running gorilla field study site dedicated to the conservation, protection, and study of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. There are many great organizations and individuals dedicated to fighting for their survival, but greater awareness and investment are essential to gaining ground for gorillas. World Gorilla Day strives to be a rallying point for bolstering appreciation and action for these great apes.

As we mark our fourth anniversary of World Gorilla Day, we have much to celebrate as a community.  Last year’s global mobile phone recycling challenge, “Gorillas on the Line…Answer the Call” came to a close on April 30, 2019. Twenty-two zoo and aquarium partners collectively hosted the challenge, recruiting schools and organizations within their local region to join the campaign. In total, the message reached more than 260,000 people, 56 groups across the country participated and collected 12,486 old mobile phones, and raised $6,055 to save gorillas in the wild! The 2019 challenge far surpassed the goals of engaging 10,000 people in collecting 10,000 cell phones.  This community engagement initiative was created by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) Gorilla Species Survival Plan education advisory team to raise awareness about cell phone recycling and its benefits to gorilla conservation.

As we prepare for World Gorilla Day 2020, we invite all to answer the call for gorillas. Zoos, conservation stakeholders, and other interested organizations are invited to join the celebration on September 24 and help give a voice to one of our closest relatives. If you signed up to be a participating organization in Gorillas on the Line 2020, remember that, due to COVID-19, the campaign was extended through September 24, meaning on this year’s World Gorilla Day, we will also celebrate the finale of another successful Gorillas on the Line campaign. Zoos, conservation stakeholders, and other interested organizations are invited to join the celebration on September 24 and help give a voice to one of our closest relatives.