ADOPT A GORILLA

Sharing approximately 98% of their DNA with humans, gorillas are intelligent and captivating primates that live in family groups. Western and eastern gorillas both have highland and lowland sub-species.

Gorillas are the largest primates in the world; males weigh around 143-169kg and can stand up to 1.8 metres tall. With low reproduction rates, female gorillas will give birth to only three or four infants in their lifetime. Wild gorillas have a range of vocalisations to communicate and have been observed humming when they eat food they enjoy.

Sadly, of the four sub-species that exist on our planet, all are either classified Endangered or Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Gorillas are balancing on the very edge of extinction. One of the sub-species – the Cross River gorilla – is believed to number only 300 individuals.

Threats posed by poaching for bushmeat, habitat loss and degradation of their natural habitat have fragmented remaining populations into ever smaller groups that are unable to recover from these human activities.

ADOPTING A GORILLA

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR GORILLA ADOPTION

Help protect gorillas in the wild with an animal adoption, and you'll receive an exclusive adoption pack containing a soft toy, animal story, species fact sheet, personalised certificate and glossy photo. Plus, we’ll send you our Adopt magazine twice a year with updates on all our wildlife adoptions – perfect for animal lovers.

Adoptions last one year (those paid by monthly direct debit roll over until cancelled).

ISSUES AFFECTING GORILLAS TODAY

The demand for bushmeat and body parts remain some of the biggest threats to gorilla survival. Poachers kill gorillas to supply wealthy consumers or sell the meat in towns. Orphaned infants are then taken to be sold as pets.

The rate of habitat loss is also exacerbating the issue. As a result, large areas of forest that were once inaccessible and offered natural protection to gorilla groups have now disappeared. Snares and traps set for other animals also regularly kill or injure gorillas.

Human contact brings a further problem. Highly infectious diseases like the Ebola virus pose critical threats to gorillas, and have been responsible for a drastic decline in numbers – for example western gorillas have experienced an 80% drop in numbers over three generations (according to the IUCN).

ADOPTING A GORILLA WILL HAVE A MASSIVE IMPACT

Funds from your adoption will support the protection and conservation of wild gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Our work continues to address the illegal trade in wildlife via collaborations with national governments, law enforcement agencies and other conservation organisations. You can help provide care and protection for gorillas by adopting Mugaruka and Chimanuka.

It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty, the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.Sir David Attenborough

Your money will help:

Monitor and survey the health of gorilla family groups in Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Secure the survival of the species through greater protection

Campaign against the illegal trade in wildlife

Run local outreach and education programmes to promote conservation

ADOPTION PACK DELIVERY INFORMATION

We will process and send your order within 3 working days, and would normally expect it to arrive within 7 working days to addresses within the UK. All UK orders are sent via Royal Mail 2nd class delivery. Please allow 28 days for delivery on overseas orders. Please note – we cannot hold orders for delivery on a specific date.

Orders do not need to be signed for, but come in a box which won’t fit through the letterbox so you will need to be available to accept the delivery. A card will be left if you’re unavailable.