Further Information
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International volunteer program

The Life of Mountain Gorillas:

There are two main species of gorilla, which include five subspecies. The western gorilla includes two subspecies and numbers approximately 100,000, located in west and central Africa. The western lowland gorilla is the species commonly found in zoos. The eastern gorilla species includes three subspecies and is found in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the eastern gorilla subspecies (the eastern lowland gorilla) numbers about 12,000, with very few in captivity. The other two subspecies – the Bwindi gorilla and the mountain gorilla – number some 350 each, with none in captivity.

Because of the extensive research Dr. Fossey began, which has since been carried on by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the mountain gorilla is perhaps the best understood of all gorillas.

DFGFI also operates a conservation action outreach plan, working in conjunction with innovative community-based preserves in the Democratic Republic of Congo, establishing a GIS centre at the National University of Rwanda and participating in other critical conservation projects. Nestled in the Virungas, the late Dr Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Center marked its 40th Anniversary in 2007.

Want to learn more? Visit the website of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund at www.gorillafund.org