How can I adopt a gorilla? Adopting a gorilla in Africa plays a significant role as it lets you partner with organizations to ensure these endangered apes are well conserved and protected. Gorilla conservation and protection is essential in ensuring their survival for today and future generations and the whole process requires a collective effort.
Gorillas are by far the most interesting primate species and there are 2 gorilla species; the Western and Eastern gorilla. The Western gorilla consists of 2 sub-species; the Western lowland gorilla and the Cross River gorilla. Mountain gorillas and the Eastern Lowland gorillas are the 2 sub-species of the Eastern gorilla. Presently, there are fewer than 250000 western lowland gorillas still thriving in Central and Western Africa; 7000 Eastern Lowland gorillas, 300 Cross River gorillas still living in the wild and not more than 1063 mountain gorillas which live only in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
How to adopt a gorilla?
It is possible to adopt a gorilla in Africa and you can do so by donating to gorilla conservation organizations and government agencies to help in the fight to protect these apes from poaching, animal trafficking and habitat loss which are major threats to the survival of these primates in the wild. The different gorilla conservation organizations and government agencies receive funds from government and individual donors. You can donate towards gorilla conservation and protection to organization such as Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Gorilla Doctors, International Gorilla Conservation Programme through Public Health, World Wildlife Fund, Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund or Senkwekwe Centre; Limbe Wildlife Centre for Cross River gorillas in Cameroon.
In case you would like to donate/sponsor zoo animals then the best is for you to donate to the Paignton Zoo, The Fort Worth Zoo, Francisco Zoological Society, Bristol Zoo and many more.
Senkwekwe Centre and other facilities accept individuals and groups to adopt gorillas. The donations are used to help meet the cost of hiring staff and food for the orphaned gorillas. These donations are also used to facilitate construction of infrastructure in the various sanctuaries and sensitizing local communities on the significance of wildlife conservation.
Senkwekwe Centre accepts donations from individuals with will to adopt a particular mountain gorilla. Taking care of a baby gorilla is costly, about US Dollars 480 is used every year. To take care of an adult gorilla costs US Dollars 1200 every year on food and salaries cost US Dollar 5400. Maintenance of the facility costs approximately US Dollars 12000 annually. You can be part of the gorilla conservation by adopting one of the mountain gorillas such Ndakasi, Matabishi, Musuka also formerly called Yalala and Ndeze. To adopt a gorilla, you can visit the Gorilla Doctors website- www.gorilladoctors.org.
Reward for donating to gorilla conservation
The only reward for donating to gorilla conservation is, knowing that you significantly contributed towards gorilla conservation. Besides, most organizations which receive donations normally have some packages for sponsors like certificates, a thank you letter, information about the gorilla you sponsored, photos and others. Bristol zoo offers free tickets to the zoo for donors, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International lets donors subscribe at free cost to their quarterly newsletter and a special video of gorilla one sponsors; World Animal Foundation Gorilla Sponsorship Kit is accompanied by a picture of the sponsored gorilla, certificate and a card with information about wildlife conservation.
Why adopt a gorilla?
- To ensure anti-poaching patrols activities are well facilitated yearly.
- To make sure continuity of mountain gorilla population growth.
- In order for you to receive an adoption certificate and profile about your gorilla.
- It is the best gift for a hard-to-buy-for friend.
- To ensure they receive the best care in the wild.