| Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) | The DFGFI is a US-based gorilla research and conservation organisation founded by Dian Fossey, the famous American ethnologist, to protect the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. The fund has two major programmes: - the Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda, used daily research and protection for the groups made famous by Dian Fossey
- the Landscape Graueri Programme in eastern Congo, for the conservation of Grauer’s eastern gorilla (the largest and least known of all gorillas)
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What is the situation for gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
 | | Stuart Nixon |
"The African apes - gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos - are in serious trouble throughout central Africa, due to illegal hunting for the bush meat and exotic pet trade, habitat destruction and disease, specifically the flesh eating virus, ebola. "In eastern Congo, gorillas and chimpanzees are being decimated due to 10 years of civil war and a burgeoning trade in illegally mined gold, diamonds, tin and coltan (a substance used to build circuits for the mobile phone and microelectronics industry). "Widespread insecurity has meant that forests where the majority of east Congo’s gorillas live have been over-run with rebel groups seeking to exploit these resources. Illegal mines can attract thousands of workers seeking their fortunes and this places an enormous pressure on wildlife populations, which are hunted to feed the workers. "It is unclear how many gorillas are left in eastern Congo and could be anywhere between 5,000 and 20,000 animals. Whilst the upper limit may sound like a relatively high number, if you sat them all in Old Trafford, it would seem pretty bare." What does your work involve?
 | | Francine sifting gorilla dung (A Lewnes) |
"I work as a Research Biologist for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) in eastern Congo, conducting research on the distribution and status of gorillas, chimps and elephants in a conservation zone the size of Wales! "Our work involves the two of us (Stuart and his fellow DFGFI worker and wife Francine), along with our Congolese colleagues, hiking deep into the rainforest and camping out for up to three months surveying the forests. These surveys have already identified two populations that between them support at least 1,500 gorillas previously unknown to science. "Additionally, we are looking after three orphaned gorillas in Goma, which were confiscated in the town. My involvement with these confiscations was to go undercover and pose as a buyer for the animals and set up the bust. It is amazing that people want to keep gorillas as a pet. Babies grow and I cannot imagine an adult silverback roaming around the house!" Why did you become involved with the gorillas there? | "Whilst the upper limit (20,000) may sound like a relatively high number, if you sat them all in Old Trafford, it would seem pretty bare." | | Stuart Nixon on the number of gorillas in eastern Congo |
"I have always held a deep fascination with gorillas since seeing the original King Kong and visiting Chester Zoo as a child. Over time, I became spellbound with the mysterious forests of eastern Congo and the gorillas which live there. "First studying gorillas in west central Africa in 2001, I got the opportunity to conduct gorilla research in eastern Congo with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International in 2001 and returned almost two years ago to continue this work. To be working as a biologist in this region is a wonderful privilege and the ultimate realisation of a childhood dream." Alongside the dangers for the animals, the Congo can be a very dangerous place to be for you. What's been your experience of the area?
 | | Stuart examines gorilla nests (A Lewnes) |
"Obviously working in such a poor country recovering from almost a decade of armed conflict faces us with a multitude of difficulties. Travelling to the remote areas where we conduct our research is, in itself, very difficult. There are few passable roads and we invariably end up walking enormous distances. "During our time working in the region, we have been held at gunpoint by rebels, attacked by bees, wasps and ants, and stuck in deep smelly swamps! However, as the country stabilises, a current of positivity is charging the Congolese people and this unbeatable spirit makes it easy to work around the problems we face and keep and pushing forward with our work." What drives you to go back? "A belief that the tropical forests and bio-diversity of this region are of major global importance. As well as supporting gorillas, chimpanzees and many other charismatic creatures, such as forest elephants and the okapi, they are essential in maintaining a global environment capable of supporting any life. In this respect, their preservation as functioning natural systems is in everyone’s interest and it is this notion that drives me to continue my work." Why are the gorillas important?
 | | Adult male mountain gorilla (F Nixon) |
"Gorillas can be considered important for many reasons. For one, they are one of our closest living relatives, sharing over 98 percent of their genetic make up with humans, and are a living link to our own evolutionary past. "Secondly, gorillas play an extremely important role in forest ecology, dispersing seeds and maintaining the natural balance of the environment in which they live. It is easy to think of gorillas as gardeners, tending the forests on which we all depend for survival. "Finally, gorillas have always captured the human imagination and this makes them an excellent ambassador for the natural world in general. By conserving gorillas, we also provide protection for all the life in the forests where they live and maintain all the strands that hold the web together." What is like to work with the gorillas?
 | | Rescued gorilla (Marc Perkins) |
"To be in the presence of wild gorillas is an unforgettable experience. Whilst it is true that gorillas can be extremely intimidating when they feel alarmed or threatened, they are certainly one of the most peaceful, shy and reserved animals on the earth and a wonder to behold. "Most of my work takes me into areas where gorillas have had either negative experiences with humans, like hunting, or very little contact with humans at all, so they are extremely shy and elusive, adding to their enigma even further. A fleeting glimpse of a completely wild and unaware gorilla family feeding peacefully in a tree makes all the hardship worthwhile and is all the motivation anyone could ask for to conserve these magnificent cousins of ours." Are you making a difference?
 | | Woman selling bushmeat (Ian Redmond) |
"Last year was the 20th anniversary of Dian’s murder in Rwanda and I like to think she would be glad with the progress we have made in terms of conserving these magnificent animals." What can people do to help? "The future of the gorillas, their forests and the natural world in general lies in everybody’s hands. It starts by being aware of the problems and the issues driving them. "Re-cycling your mobile phones will help reduce the demand for coltan, which has driven the human suffering and wildlife decline in east Congo. If buying diamonds, gold or wood products, ask retailers where it originates, which will pressure people to look at 'gorilla-friendly' alternatives."
All photos: copyright - Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International | 
