Gorillas are the largest of the living primates, and the last members of the ape family known to science. Their evolutionary closeness to humans makes them the subject of tribal myth and scientific inquiry. As “protectors of the living”, it is condemnable to kill them. But killed they are — intentionally by poachers, and unintentionally by growing human populations that encroach on their habitat and spread diseases to which they are highly susceptible; and unintentionally in the crossfire of conflicts and wars that plague the region.

African Wildlife’s Mountain Gorilla Project, often hailed as the most successful conservation effort in Africa, pioneered the concept that conservation should pay its own way. Initially formed to support Dian Fossey’s gorilla research, it evolved into the International Gorilla Conservation Program. This collaborative effort by AWF, Flora and Fauna International and World Wildlife Fund for Nature increased protection for the Gorillas, and ensured that benefits from international tourism would contribute to their survival and to Africa’s prosperity.

Protecting the few surviving mountain gorillas requires conserving the biological diversity of the incredibly rich Virunga ecosystem. Since ecosystems rarely fall neatly within country borders, AWF and its partners are forging relationships across boundaries to improve conservation efforts in this politically unstable region.

Gift Donations to Benefit African Wildlife Foundation

$60 Donation Nkuringo Baskets The baskets of traditional Ugandan design are woven by the women of the Nkuringo Basket Weavers Association, living on the southwest edge of Bwindi National Park. Each one is unique, woven of all natural local grasses and dyes extracted from herbs. $10 Donation Knit Monkey Ornament Hand knit woolen monkey serves as a reminder of your generous gift to save the gorillas, and the creative work of the Kenyan woman who knit them. Monkey is approximately 6”h x 1”w. $25 Donation Knit Hand Puppet Puppets are made from homespun wool and hand knit by Kenyan woman who have formed a cooperative to market their products. Puppet sizes average about 8”h x 5”w.

$20 Donation Rwanda Peace Basket Ornament These ornaments, tiny versions of the unique baskets made in Rwanda for thousands of years. The baskets are used to hold food, celebrate weddings, and carry secrets from one woman to another. The peace basket project helps rural women in Rwanda, recover from the recent period of war and genocide.

NOTE: Click art photos for larger view.