2009 Year of the Gorilla
Tourist photographing a wild gorilla on the edge of a national park near farmland
The Year of the Gorilla aims to unite countries, the UN, NGOs, local communities and individuals in their endeavour to support the conservation of the magnificent gorillas.
Gorillas are a vital part of the tropical rainforest communities in which they are found, acting as gardeners of the forest.
They are threatened by:
- habitat loss and fragmentation;
- hunting;
- the bushmeat trade;
- disease;
- mining;
- and the effects of armed conflicts.
Year of the Gorilla focuses on the conservation of gorillas and their habitat by mitigating threats to their survival, supporting research, education and promoting sustainable development. It is a joint project of the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the UNEP/UNESCO Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
What can you do to help?
You can now help save Gorillas in Africa simply by recycling your mobile phone!
Click here to find out more about the connection between mobile phones and gorillas and to download a postage paid envelope to recycle your mobile