Gorilla Conservation Organizations in Africa

Gorilla Conservation Organizations in Africa: What organizations are helping protect gorillas in Africa, is there any? There are a few most fascinating primates like gorillas in Africa yet they remain the endangered species on earth. Africa is the topmost sought gorilla trekking destination for a good reason. 4 sub-species and 2 major species of gorillas that exist in Africa are Western and Eastern gorillas.

Gorilla survival in the wild still remains highly threatened by several factors including poaching, habitat loss, the spread of infectious human diseases, and more. Many conservation agencies/organizations have played and are still involved in the conservation and protection of gorillas in Africa. Each of the gorilla conservation organizations in Africa has a role to play from conducting research to carrying out gorilla population census.

Popular Gorilla Conservation Agencies in Africa

Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH)

Conservation Through Public Health is one of the organizations that is actively involved in gorilla conservation and protection in Africa. The CTPH, founded in 2003 does promote biodiversity conservation by enabling coexistence between people, livestock, and wildlife. To achieve the above, CTPH aims at enhancing the quality of health & livelihoods in and around protected areas and wildlife endowed habitats in Africa.

Currently, CTPH focuses on mountain gorillas and other wildlife protection. Several projects already running under CTPH at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a home to 459 mountain gorillas, Virunga National Park with 8 gorilla families, and other wildlife safari destinations such as Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International- DFGFI

Dian Fossey gorilla conservation pioneer is remembered for her great work that mainly involved studying and protecting the lives of these endangered species in Rwanda. Her efforts to save mountain gorillas touched the hearts of many worldwide. Interestingly, her legacy still lives up to date in gorilla education, science, and people initiatives under the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Connect with Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and be part of gorilla conservation via http://gorillafund.org.

Gorilla Doctors/Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project

Gorilla Doctors is remarkably the only agency/organization in the world that is dedicated to mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas. The organization contributes a lot to saving the above gorilla sub-species through veterinary medicine, science, and a One Health Approach. You can donate to Gorilla Doctors, find them on www.gorilladoctors.org or email info@gorilladoctors.org.

Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund- MGCF

Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, one of the organizations committed to mountain gorilla protection and conservation, their habitats and collaborates with the local residents in the surrounding parks. Wildlife veterinary medicine was introduced by MGCF around 1986 and has built good working relationships with Makerere University in Kampala and others. Visit http://www.savegorilla.org and find out how you can support activities/projects of MGCF.

International Gorilla Conservation Programme- IGCP

IGCP combines other international conservation organizations that work jointly with local and national partners to secure the future for mountain gorillas. This was founded in 1991 and it works with a network of Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo parks. Visit http://www.igcp.org to learn more on how you can support the mission of the International Gorilla Conservation Programme- IGCP.

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)

UWA is a conservation organization in charge of sustainable conservation & management of wildlife and protected areas in Uganda. UWA works jointly with local communities adjacent to the protected areas and this was founded in 1996 replacing the Uganda National Parks & Game Department. In Uganda, there are 10 parks, 7 wildlife sanctuaries, 12 wildlife reserves, and 5 community wildlife areas.

Other Gorilla Conservation Organizations in Africa:

• Rwanda Development Board- RDB

The Gorilla Organization- TGO (British gorilla conservation organization previously known as Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Europe).