The Gorilla Organisation

The Gorilla Organisation aims to secure the long-term survival of the world's last remaining gorillas through an award-winning community conservation programme combining conservation, research, education and community development. The Gorilla Organisation takes an innovative and community-led approach to conservation. All of their projects work to promote the preservation of gorillas in their natural habitat in Africa and to protect them from extinction. The organisation supports local communities to earn a sustainable income without having to rely on the natural resources found in the forest. Working in Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), they support long-term economic development by operating conservation projects in poor communities surrounding the gorilla habitat, recognising the important role these communities play in ensuring the gorillas' survival.

The Gorilla Organisation are effectively creating a culture of conservation amongst generations of people to whom the gorillas rely on to protect their forest habitat from harm. It is these communities who are working alongside wildlife authorities to conduct ranger patrols, carry out scientific surveys and adopt vitally important movements like gorilla-friendly bee keeping and firewood-saving stoves. Each project is essential in bridging the gap between gorillas and humans living safely and sustainably alongside one-another.

Key areas where Blackpool Zoo is helping to sustain these community-based efforts include:

• Tree planting and reforestation Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DRC. So far, over 2 million trees have been planted, providing a sustainable and alternative food source in the form of firewood and fruit for local villiages. This reduces the frequency of encroachment into gorilla habitat by people.
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