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The United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species, the UNEP/UNESCO Great Apes Survival Partnership, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums declared 2009 the “Year of the Gorilla" (YoG) to raise awareness and funds for the conservation of endangered wild gorillas.

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association’s involvement in the YoG is part of the Los Angeles Zoo’s continuing efforts to educate the public about threatened species like gorillas through the Zoo's Gorilla Campo Reserve where visitors can learn about these intelligent and powerful primates.

Gorillas play an important role in African forest ecosystems. Without them, many other animal and plant species may cease to exist. Yet, for example, just 250-300 Cross River and 650-700 mountain gorillas survive in the wild today. So, it is imperative that we save these majestic creatures from extinction.

Thank you for supporting the YoG conservation projects through the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. Your contribution to this specific fund will support wild gorilla conservation in Africa. The YoG conservation projects funded through this international campaign encompass all gorilla species and subspecies and will include:

• Promoting local African communities’ awareness, education, and participation in gorilla conservation,
• Providing fuel-efficient stoves to local African communities to reduce firewood and charcoal harvesting in gorilla habitat,
• Supporting conservation-relevant gorilla research,
• Offering sanctuary for gorillas confiscated in the fight against illegal trafficking,
• Rebuilding and strengthening protection and surveillance in key protected areas inhabited by gorillas, and
• Increasing wildlife law enforcement in African countries where gorillas live.

The YoG’s official website provides more information on these projects: www.yog2009.org.

If you have specific questions about the Los Angeles Zoo’s participation in the YoG, please contact Laurel Colton: 323/256-8406 or lmcolton@hotmail.com.