Where We Work
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund protects two of the world’s four gorilla subspecies:
- Endangered Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
- Critically Endangered Grauer’s Gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
While our mission is consistent across locations, each site presents unique ecological, social, and logistical challenges. In both regions, we go beyond protection — conducting groundbreaking research, training local conservationists and partnering with communities to build sustainable futures.
Rwanda: A Legacy of Protection and Research
Our work in Rwanda began in 1967, when Dr. Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi in the Virunga mountains. This region is home to the mountain gorilla — now a rare conservation success story, yet still endangered with just over 1,000 individuals remaining.
Today, our teams of trackers and scientists operate in the forest every day. They monitor and protect individual gorillas, collect critical data and support ongoing research that informs global conservation strategies. Rwanda remains our longest-standing field site and a global model for integrated conservation.
DRC: Expanding Impact Through Community-led Conservation
We began working in eastern DRC in 2002 to help protect the critically endangered Grauer’s gorilla, which lives in some of the most remote and biodiverse forests on Earth and faces some of the greatest threats.
In 2012, we established the Nkuba Conservation Area, alongside local communities. What began as a 700-square-kilometer initiative has now expanded to more than 2,400 square kilometers of community-managed forest. This area not only supports gorillas and chimpanzees, but also helps mitigate climate change by sequestering an estimated half-billion tons of carbon.
Our DRC program demonstrates the power of conservation rooted in local leadership and inclusive development, even in regions that have limited infrastructure and complex challenges.
Gorilla Ranges Across Africa
Gorillas are found only in Africa and exist in four subspecies:
- Western Lowland Gorillas (western Africa)
- Cross River Gorillas (western Africa)
- Mountain Gorillas (eastern Africa)
- Grauer’s Gorillas (eastern Africa)
All four subspecies are endangered or critically endangered, though their numbers and habitats vary widely. Our work focuses on the two eastern subspecies, which are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss, human conflict and climate change.
