Why World Gorilla Day?

 

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

The inaugural year for World Gorilla Day also marks the 50th anniversary of the 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. Thus, an added focus of World Gorilla Day 2017 will be celebrating this incredible milestone anniversary for DFGFI and raising money to support their growing conservation efforts. Given the organization’s great success with mountain gorilla conservation, DFGFI now starts a similar charge for the Grauer’s gorilla, a critically endangered subspecies of gorilla found in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

There are many great organizations and individuals dedicated to fighting for their survival, but greater awareness and investment are essential to gaining ground for all four subspecies of gorilla. World Gorilla Day strives to be a rallying point for bolstering appreciation and action for these great apes.

Zoos, conservation stakeholders, and other interested organizations are invited to join the celebration on Sept. 24 and help give a voice to one of our closest relatives.

 

Take Action

 

Get involved to help save gorillas. There are lots of things you can do.

  • Make a donation to support gorilla conservation, celebrate DFGFI’s 50th anniversary, and help save critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas.
  • Host a World Gorilla Day Event at your company/school/neighborhood. Click here to sign up.
  • Visit an organization hosting a World Gorilla Day Event near you. Visit the websites of our participating organizations listed below to find out more.
  • Recycle your mobile device – recycling your cell or smart phone, tablet, or MP3 player will help reduce the demand for ore that is mined in some gorilla habitats, plus you’ll help raise funds for gorilla conservation. You can drop off your device at a participating location or click here for instructions to send it in yourself and be sure to list World Gorilla Day as the beneficiary. 
  • Share a post on social media and tag #WorldGorillaDay. Click here for sample posts

 

Resources

Social Media Images

Social Media Posts

Press Release

Photo Props

Suggested Activities

Supporting Organizations

 

Please visit these institutions websites to learn how they are involved in celebrating World Gorilla Day!