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Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, International

Dr. Fossey began her study of mountain gorillas in 1967 and established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda. She founded the Digit Fund in 1978 to preserve and protect the world’s last mountain gorillas. Following her tragic death, it was renamed The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International to honor Dr. Fossey and to underscore its commitment to carry on the gorilla protection and research programs she had established.

Today the DFGFI is a non-profit organization working in collaboration with government agencies and other international partners to provide assistance to local communities through education, training and economic development initiatives.

TCT has been working with the DFGFI because of their commitment to gorilla protection, science, field research, education and awareness, and economic development. DFGFI projects take place on many levels and places, with people from Rwanda, Uganda, Congo and elsewhere in Africa, the United States, and around the world. Recently DFGFI has begun to expand and diversify their programs to address pressing conservation challenges on a wider regional scale.

 
PROJECTS

• Monitoring and protecting the mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Parc National des Volcans, through the Karisoke Research Center's programs, including tracking and anti-poaching patrols.
• Working with critical conservation projects in other areas where wild gorillas live, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Tayna Gorilla Reserve and other community reserves.
• Assessing the health problems of those who live near gorillas, as well as related gorilla health issues.
• Conducting scientific studies of gorilla ecology, behavior, health and population status.
• Training rangers and trackers using the Karisoke research center’s experience and methods.
• Using high-tech tool such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and remote sensing to help solve conservation issues related to habitat loss and land management.
• Promoting education and public awareness, in partnership with universities and educators.
• Helping to support local economic initiatives, such as organizations that seek to help victims of war.

 » Read more about their current projects...

 
BENEFITS OF DFGFI MEMBERSHIP:

The DFGFI raises money through memberships, the sale of items, gorilla adoption and other donations.

• Full Color Calendar.
• DFGFI Membership Card and a 10% discount on the DFGFI merchandise featured in their newsletter and online.
• Dian Fossey Gorilla Journal, published quarterly by DFGFI. The Journal contains up-to-date anti-poaching and cutting-edge gorilla conservation news.

 
REFERENCES

Halstead Design, The Dian Fossey Fund International. 2003. 1 Oct. 2003 <http://www.gorillafund.org>.