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The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has shaped life in this region for decades. Armed groups have operated here since the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, drawn into a long struggle for political influence, territory and control of mineral-rich land. The current fighting between the M23, which is a Tutsi-led militia group backed by Rwanda, and the Congolese armed forces has brought a new level of instability to an area that is already deeply fragile.
In January 2025, M23 rebels had captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu. A day later the group seized Goma’s airport, cutting off vital supply routes. Since then, the conflict has spread across much of North Kivu and has moved dangerously close to key conservation landscapes. These areas include Walikale, Itombwe and the forests surrounding Kahuzi Biega National Park, which hold some of the last populations of Grauer’s gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas.
The impact on conservation work is becoming increasingly severe.
Rangers forced off their posts
Rangers have repeatedly been forced to leave their guard posts as the frontlines shift. At various points this year, gorilla families have been left without any active protection because it has simply become too dangerous for rangers to remain in position.
Their patrols already involved crossing contested terrain and moving through areas where armed groups are active. As the conflict has intensified, rangers have had vehicles, computers and communication equipment looted. The absence of basic tools makes it even harder to carry out routine monitoring or respond quickly when threats emerge.
Whenever armed groups are present, law enforcement becomes almost impossible. With fewer patrols and reduced visibility in the forest, the risk to gorillas rises sharply.
A communication blackout that puts wildlife in danger
In any crisis, reliable communication allows rangers to warn one another, coordinate patrols and respond to poaching threats. In eastern DRC, these systems have been breaking down. Internet and phone networks are frequently cut. Radio stations and local transmitters have been shut off when armed groups move into new areas. In some project sites, contact has been completely lost for stretches of time.
There have been long periods when teams, including our own back in London, simply did not know whether rangers were safe or whether gorilla groups had been disturbed, scattered or harmed. Without dependable communication, conservation work becomes extremely difficult and far more dangerous for the teams working on the ground
Displacement and hunger increase pressure on wildlife
The conflict has pushed huge numbers of families to flee their homes. Some are leaving rural areas for Goma. Others who had previously taken refuge in Rwanda or Uganda are attempting to return to the DRC. Inside the country, many internally displaced people have gathered in any location that offers a possibility of safety, such as Goma, even if that means living in overcrowded improvised settlements.
A sudden increase in population places enormous pressure on food supplies. When markets collapse and aid does not arrive, people turn to the forest. Historically, every major displacement crisis in eastern DRC has led to a rise in bushmeat hunting. Gorillas are slow moving and easy to find and this makes them especially vulnerable when communities are pushed to extremes.
Desperation is driving a rise in poaching
There are already signs that illegal hunting has increased in parts of North and South Kivu. Conflict weakens law enforcement and gives poachers more freedom to operate. With fewer patrols in the forest, hunters can enter protected areas without being detected. At the same time, hunger and displacement are forcing some people to kill wildlife they would not normally target.
For species that are endangered or critically endangered, even a small rise in poaching can have long lasting consequences. For gorillas, the gains made over the past thirty to forty years risk being reversed in a very short period of time.
Health risks are rising alongside the conflict
Population movement and overcrowded settlements have contributed to a rise in Mpox cases in eastern DRC. Attacks on health centres have forced medical staff and patients to flee, leaving communities without treatment or preventive care.
Gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases. When people move deeper into forested areas or seek shelter near wildlife habitats, the risk of disease transmission grows. This combination of conflict, displacement and illness creates another layer of danger for already fragile gorilla populations.
The stakes could not be higher
Every aspect of this conflict affects gorillas and the communities who live alongside them. The evacuation of rangers, the loss of communication systems, the pressure on food supplies, the rise in poaching and the spread of disease all contribute to a situation where decades of conservation progress could be undone. None of these threats exist in isolation. Together, they place gorillas, and local people, in acute danger.
Our teams need additional support to stay safe, continue patrols, restore communication and protect gorilla families through the uncertainty ahead. This is one of the most challenging moments for conservation in eastern DRC in many years. The future of these gorilla populations depends on the strength of the response now.
If you are able to support our emergency appeal, your contribution will go directly to the rangers and community teams working every day to keep gorillas safe.
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Despite the recent and ongoing insecurity in eastern DR Congo, the status of gorillas in the wild remains largely stable. However, both species of gorilla – eastern and western – still remain officially classified as “critically-endangered”, one step away from being lost for good.
The latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (10 October) shows that gorillas are among almost 50,000 species threatened with extinction. Both eastern gorillas, the species which includes mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas, and western gorillas, which includes western lowland and Cross River gorillas, continue to face a range of threats. Since only western lowland gorillas are found in zoos, keeping them safe in their native habitats is vital.
According to the IUCN data, even with the growth of the mountain gorilla subspecies, the overall decline of the Eastern Gorilla species is expected to exceed 80% over three generations due to the high levels of poaching, loss of habitat as human populations expand, and civil unrest and lawlessness in and around the gorillas’ natural habitat. More concerning, the data modelling shows that, without intervention, just 14% of the 1994 population of gorillas will be left in 20 years’ time.
Gorilla Organization Director Jillian Miller says: “This new report is concerning but far from surprising. Certainly, we have seen great successes in keeping mountain gorillas safe from harm, and they represent one of the great conservation stories of our times. But all their cousins continue to be placed in severe danger, mainly from man-made threats. We really cannot let up in our efforts to protect gorillas and their habitat.”
The Gorilla Organization’s projects focus on both the immediate threats to gorillas while also addressing the underlying causes of poaching and habitat loss. Tree-planting programmes play a key role in preserving a safe, natural barrier between humans and gorillas, while the Reformed Poachers Project encourages communities to benefit from sustainable livelihoods outside of the forests.
Projects have carried on through the recent troubles, which culminated in the rebel takeover of the city of Goma, home of the Gorilla Organization’s office in DR Congo.
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Dr Jane Goodall, the visionary primatologist and tireless environmental campaigner, has died at the age of 91.
Her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees transformed humanity’s understanding of their behaviour and, above all, their intelligence. But she was also a champion of her fellow primatologists, not least her peer Dian Fossey, who blazed a similarly important trail in the field of gorilla research and conservation.
Goodall and Fossey were two-third of a group of pioneering women researchers who came to be known as the “Trimates”. In the late 1950s, Goodall began her field work researching the chimpanzees of Tanzania, while Fossey set off to Rwanda to study its mysterious mountain gorillas (their colleague Birute Galdikas would later go on to study the orangutans of Borneo). Tragically, Fossey was murdered in the field in 1978, before she could achieve the scientific adulation that came Goodall’s way.
Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey: Conservation pioneers
In 2010, the Gorilla Organization published a collection of Dian Fossey’s letters from the field, alongside photos by Bob Campbell. Goodall generously agreed to pen the foreword, making clear the lasting bond between the two women. Here, Goodall paid tribute to her “dear friend and colleague” who, through these previously unpublished letters, made clear her deep passion for gorillas. The two would occasionally take different approaches to their work. However, they were united by a determination to shake up the scientific consensus, and to see great apes as individuals, with elevated intelligence, emotions and complex societies. Fossey would get up-close to the gorillas she studied, communicating with them through grunts and chest beatings. Goodall, meanwhile, gained the trust of chimpanzees through mimicking their behaviour. Both women also broke convention by giving their study subjects names rather than numbers, highlighting their shared affection for the great apes.
Beyond her scientific achievements, Goodall became a leading global advocate for wildlife protection and environmental stewardship. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which has worked to protect great apes and their habitats in Africa and beyond. Her Roots & Shoots programme, launched in 1991, has inspired millions of young people around the world to take action for people, animals, and the environment. For her work, she was honoured with numerous awards, including Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), the French Legion of Honour, and the Templeton Prize Her books, lectures, and tireless advocacy brought the wonders of the natural world to a broad public audience.
The world has lost a scientific icon and a true humanitarian. But just like Dian Fossey before her, Goodall’s spirit lives on in the forests she loved, the great apes she studied, and the countless people she inspired.
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In September, the rolling hills and volcanic peaks of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda came alive with celebration as the annual Kwita Izina ceremony took place. This event, which means “to give a name” in Kinyarwanda, Rwanda’s national language, honours each newborn mountain gorilla with a meaningful name making a renewed promise to their protection. Since 2005, over four hundred baby gorillas have been welcomed into the world in this way, and every year the ceremony brings together rangers, researchers, local families, and international visitors to celebrate the newest members of these endangered populations. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the tradition, which draws inspiration from centuries-old Rwandan customs where communities gather to name human infants.
Kwita Izina is as much a celebration of life as it is a reflection of the close connection between people and wildlife. By giving each baby gorilla a name, the ceremony creates a personal bond that inspires care and awareness for the species. Attendees witness the young gorillas in their natural habitat, share stories, and honour the ongoing efforts of those who protect them. The event highlights the dedication of trackers, rangers, veterinarians, and local communities who play a daily role in safeguarding these gentle animals.
Mountain gorillas remain one of the world’s most vulnerable species. Decades of poaching, habitat loss, and disease once pushed them to the brink. Careful conservation efforts, including habitat protection, anti-poaching patrols, and scientific monitoring, have enabled their numbers to recover, but the work continues. Each newborn gorilla is a reminder of the importance of vigilance, research, and community engagement to ensure a secure future for the species.
Rwanda’s dramatic landscape, made up of towering volcanic mountains, misty forests, and terraced hills, supports some of Africa’s densest human populations. Space is limited, and thus the tussle for resources is often a challenge in gorilla protection. Initiatives linked to conservation, such as community projects and eco-tourism, show how safeguarding wildlife can also support human wellbeing, creating a model where both people and animals can thrive.
At The Gorilla Organization, events like Kwita Izina resonate deeply with our mission. We work to protect gorilla habitats, support field research, and uplift communities living alongside the habitat. The ceremony reminds us of why this work matters: celebrating life, connecting people with wildlife, and securing a future where mountain gorillas continue to flourish in their natural home.
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Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the most important conservation areas in Africa. This ancient rainforest in southwest Uganda is home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas – an endangered species once numbering fewer than 300. Today, thanks to sustained conservation efforts, that number has grown to over 1,000.
We’re rangers based in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where today we led eight tourists -the maximum allowed – on a trek to visit the Rushegura gorilla family, which includes 17 individuals and two silverbacks.
We set out just after sunrise and spent about two and a half hours trekking through the misty forest, up and down steep trails. Along the way, we checked for signs of illegal activity. Sadly, we still find traps and snares – set for small animals but dangerous to gorillas. We dismantle every one we find.
We finally located the group and spent the permitted one hour quietly observing them. One of our favourites is Kabukojo, the dominant silverback – calm, powerful, and always watching over the others. Moments like that make the hard work worth it.
After the trek, some of us headed to the Kahurire ranger outpost, in the Nkuringo sector of the forest, to spend the night. This ranger accommodation was recently built by The Gorilla Organization, and it’s made a real difference for those of us working in the southern part of the park.
The facility has eight units with full amenities – a rare luxury in the forest. It’s strategically located to monitor the Nkuringo gorilla group, which sometimes strays into nearby community crop fields. This station allows us to respond quickly and prevent potential conflicts, keeping both gorillas and farmers safe.
The outpost also helps us monitor the park boundary and sanitation in nearby tea plantations— important in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases between people and gorillas.
As night falls, we settle in, reflecting on the day’s work. Being a ranger isn’t easy—it’s physically demanding and sometimes dangerous—but it’s deeply rewarding. Every gorilla sighting, every safe day, and every satisfied visitor brings us one step closer to a future where mountain gorillas continue to thrive.
On behalf of all the rangers in Bwindi, thank you for your support.
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As reported by the BBC, new research from Rwanda is revealing just how important friendships are for female mountain gorillas, even after years of separation. Scientists studying gorillas in Volcanoes National Park found that when a female gorilla moves to a new group, she will often seek out and join females she already knows.
The study, published in the Royal Society Journal Proceedings B, drew on 20 years of detailed observations and tracked the movements of 56 female gorillas across multiple groups. It showed that females do not choose new groups at random. They avoid groups containing males they are related to, which helps prevent inbreeding, and they actively prefer groups with familiar females. These familiar companions might be individuals they grew up with or more recent companions they have played, foraged and rested alongside.
Lead researcher Victoire Martignac explains that while scientists are cautious about describing this as “friendship” in the human sense, these long-term same-sex relationships clearly matter. The findings challenge previous assumptions and highlight that these bonds are far more significant and enduring than once thought.
This movement between groups, known as dispersal, is a normal part of female gorilla life. It helps maintain genetic diversity and shapes the social structure of groups. However, newly arriving females often start at the bottom of the hierarchy and may face aggression from resident females. Having a trusted companion can make the transition easier, offering social support in an unfamiliar group.
At the Gorilla Organization, these findings reflect what we witness in the wild. Gorillas are deeply social animals who rely on strong and complex relationships for their wellbeing. Protecting their forest homes is not only about ensuring their survival but also about safeguarding the space they need to maintain these vital bonds.
Our work with communities around Volcanoes National Park and other key habitats helps to prevent poaching, preserve forests and create sustainable livelihoods that make conservation possible. Every example of friendship between gorillas tells us a story of resilience and connection. We are reminded that these animals are not simply numbers in a population count, but individuals with memories and relationships that deserve to be protected.
You can help us protect these remarkable animals and the friendships they maintain. Your support will help gorillas live freely in their forest homes, raise young and grow old alongside the companions they choose.
Original BBC article
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