Zoo New England has been an active participant in gorilla conservation through the following programs and initiatives:
AZA SAFE
Zoo New England is proud to support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' SAFE initiative (Saving Animals from Extinction), a bold effort focused on #SavingSpecies. SAFE is a commitment by the Association's accredited zoos and aquariums to harness our collective resources, focus on specific endangered species, and save them from extinction by restoring healthy populations in the wild.
To offset declines in two subspecies of gorilla, AZA organizations raised $7.7 million for gorilla conservation from 2013-2017 and project leaders for the SAFE gorilla program are developing action plans to address the current threats. In 2018, AZA members spent more than $1,684,000 to help save gorillas from extinction.
Most recently, the SAFE program "Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla in Nigeria" was selected to receive a SAFE grant. Judges selected five of the 24 SAFE species projects to fund with over $190,000 in grants. Project participants will match these awards with more than $215,000 in additional funds, ultimately driving more than $408,000 to advance SAFE species program priorities and help vulnerable species. Ten AZA members, six additional non-governmental organizations, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will partner to implement these projects.
APE Tag Conservation Initiative
The Ape TAG Conservation Initiative is a collective effort by zoos to help conserve wild populations of endangered apes in their natural habitats. Projects range from species monitoring and protection to law enforcement, ecotourism, and veterinary and disease monitoring. All projects include the local communities. These projects help gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, gibbons and their habitats. More
Cell Phone Donations
Electronic gadgets like cell phones, ipods and tables contain coltan, a mineral extracted from the forests of Africa. Mining for coltan destroys the natural habitat of gorillas and many other species, pushing these animals closer to extinction. Zoo New England has teamed up with Eco-Cell, a company that partners with zoos across the country, to collect your recycled cell phones and refurbish them for reuse. This reduces the need for more coltan, leads to less mining and destruction of habitat, and helps the gorillas! More
Species Survival Plan
Zoo New England participates in the Western lowland gorilla Species Survival Plan. By sharing research and knowledge, participating institutions work together to establish guidelines that best ensure the health of captive populations, and with success, the survival of otherwise extinct species. More