November 17, 2014

How to interact directly with our field staff

If you attended the Fossey Fund's latest Live Update on Nov. 13 with Director of the Karisoke Research Center Felix Ndagijimana and Gorilla Program Coordinator Veronica Vecellio, you know the latest updates about Maggie and Bwenge’s group, gorillas going out of the park for bamboo shoots, and the new Biaste Learning Center.

As a new staff member at the Fossey Fund, I found the entire experience to be really cool and gratifying. I got to hear people I’m in constant contact with—but have never seen—talk about the latest updates with the various gorilla groups and community developments. While we do our best to keep all of our supporters updated via Facebook, Twitter, enews and (of course) our blog, I think the experience of hearing the latest information directly from our field staff (in this case Veronica and Felix) is unbeatable. It is a rare opportunity to connect with the field staff who directly interact with the gorillas we monitor and protect, and it is unique to the Fossey Fund.

Part of a benefit of being a member of the Fossey Fund is having access to Live Updates with our field staff in Africa. At the Custodian Level membership and above, you have access to view the recordings of past updates, and at the Guardian Level you can actually watch live and participate in them. That means not only can you hear staff talk about what's going on with the Karisoke gorillas or in our Congo programs, but you can also ask questions!

If you’re like me and want to be able to learn and ask questions about gorillas like the remarkable Maggie leading Bwenge’s group or about the progress of the Bisate Learning Center and other projects, I encourage you to become a member before the next Live Update in February!

Submitted by Mackenzie Bruce, communications coordinator