Help Save Great Apes From Extinction

Save the critically endangered Grauer's Gorilla!

The Grauer's gorilla is the world's largest ape, weighing up to 400 pounds. In 2016, it was classified as Critically Endangered. This new designation means that the planet's two gorilla species (eastern and western gorillas) and four subspecies are all Critically Endangered. Scientific research showed a shocking decrease of Grauer's gorillas due to illegal hunting and civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The results point to a 77 percent drop, from an estimated 17,000 in 1995 to just 3,800 individuals today. The main cause is hunting for bushmeat, which takes place around villages and mining camps established by armed groups deep in the forests in eastern DR Congo. Miners and rebels live only off bushmeat, and gorillas provide large amounts of meat and can be tracked easily. In addition, gorillas and other great apes are illegally hunted to obtain infants for the pet trade.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) works with partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond to ensure gorilla population remains stable through ranger training, patrol, intelligence networks, and more. WCS also ensures that local communities have sustainable sources of livelihood—providing both food and income—so locals do not need to hunt apes or encroach into protected forests. With your donation WCS can continue to provide these services in areas that need it most. WCS's results show that with appropriate resources, we can still save the Grauer's gorilla and their fellow endangered apes

With your help we can save more of the Gorilla population. For just $10 you can provide a essential patrol to protect these amazing gorillas.

Founded in 1895, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a global conservation organization with a mission to save the last of the wild. They run field conservation projects in nearly 60 countries and all of the world's oceans. Their staff's veterinary and epidemiological expertise spans 35 countries and is focused on zoonotic diseases such as SARS, Ebola, avian influenza, and West Nile virus. Their conservation work in New York City is achieved through a network of zoos and an aquarium that connects 4 million visitors annually to nature and inspires them to advocate for wildlife.