Conservation Corner

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Partner Visits Houston Zoo

By: Ben Jones HoustonZoo.org

As appreciative supporters of nature and wildlife, we at Houston PetTalk want to promote education and conservation of the world’s animal population. Each month we bring you information on conservation efforts that are of special interest or have some connection to Houston through the Houston Zoo. This issue, we highlight a look the Gorilla conservation at the zoo. Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.

The Houston Zoo is home to nine western lowland gorillas. The family group includes Mike, Angel, Holli and Binti. The bachelor group consists of Ajari, Leom, T.J., Henry and Chaka. The Zoo’s gorillas serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts. Guests can help save gorillas in the wild by simply visiting the Zoo. A portion of each membership and admission ticket helps support longtime Houston Zoo partners, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The Zoo’s support helps protect forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo for critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas, expand food security programs for vulnerable people living near gorillas, and provide scholarships for conservation staff in Africa.

When Dian Fossey first arrived in Rwanda in 1967, an estimated 240 mountain gorillas remained. Poaching was so bad she feared they would be extinct by the year 2000. But because of the work she started – and the Zoo helps continue today – the mountain gorilla population has grown to over 1,000 individuals. They are the only great apes with a growing population.

Recently, Houston Zoo welcomed staff and board members from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Fossey Fund president, CEO, and chief scientific officer, Dr. Tara Stoinski thanked the Zoo for ensuring the survival of gorillas through extraordinary generosity and for the Zoo’s substantial ongoing commitment to save mountain gorillas. “All of these Houston Zoo-supported activities are critical for gorilla conservation to succeed in the long term,” Stoinski explained.

Dr. Stoinski attributes this success to direct, daily protection. “It is the result of decades of on-the-ground protection by supportive partner organizations, like Houston Zoo, and hundreds of dedicated individuals, some of whom have lost their lives protecting gorillas.”

During their visit, Fossey Fund special guests were thrilled to see the Zoo’s gorillas and took particular pride in knowing Houston Zoo is helping save gorillas in the wild. No animal better exemplifies Houston Zoo’s “See Them. Save Them.” motto than gorillas. Dr. Fossey describes her work as ‘active conservation’ and that term suits the Houston Zoo perfectly. Support from Houston Zoo staff, members, volunteers, and guests fuels daily anti-poaching patrols, snare removal, and habitat protection to save gorillas in Africa.

Dian Fossey dedicated her life to saving gorillas and in her last journal entry she wrote, “When you realize the value of life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on preservation of the future.” The Houston Zoo is honored to help continue her legacy and secure a future for gorillas for generations to come.

Why I Love

By: Michelle Mantor