Artigenda
World Gorilla Day
When: Annually, September 24.
World Gorilla Day is a day to draw attention to gorillas and their (endangered) habitat. On 24 September, we reflect on the threats to these largest surviving primates or great apes.
Endangered species
When you see them in a zoo, it is hard to imagine that gorillas are also in danger of extinction. That is precisely the problem: gorillas do not belong in a zoo. They should live in the wild and then a problem presents itself. That is not always possible. Especially when it comes to the mountain gorilla. Of all the subspecies of eastern gorillas, this is the most endangered gorilla species.
In the 1990s, things seemed to be moving in the right direction for eastern gorillas. The Rwandan Genocide (1994) ended an important programme to protect this gorilla species.
Dian Fossey
The programme to protect eastern mountain gorillas was started by Dian Fossey (16 January 1932 – 26 December 1985). Fossey, like Jane Goodall (3 April 1934), gained fame thanks to her commitment to endangered species in Africa. Goodall became known for her commitment to protecting chimpanzees. Fossey gained fame for protecting mountain gorillas.
Gorillas in the Mist
Fossey’s best-known work is Gorillas in the Mist. This book was also later filmed. Fossey was assassinated on 26 December 1985, probably at the behest of the governor of the Rhuengeri region (Rwanda), Protais Zigiranyirazo. He played an important role during the Rwandan Genocide by establishing the death squads, which were responsible for the deaths of 800,000 Rwandans.
Today, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International still exists and draws attention to gorillas through this fund. So even on a day like September 24, World Gorilla Day.
