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In The Press

In The Press

National Geographic Society. (2025). Two dedicated conservationists awarded the 2025 National
Geographic Society/Buffett Award for Leadership in Conservation
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CNN (2025). Gorillas once caught by wildlife traffickers are set free in historic reintroduction
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People (2025). Endangered Gorillas Abducted into Wildlife Trafficking Return to the Wild After 'Surprising'
Experts
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The Times London (2025). Inside daring helicopter mission to save gorillas from extinction
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Mongabay (2025). Signs of hope for rescued gorillas rewilded in DRC, but security concerns linger
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Mongabay Kids (2025). Four rescued gorilla girls return to the wild in Central Africa
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The Walt Disney Company (2025). Disney’s Commitment to Conservation: Saving Gorillas
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Los Angeles Zoo (2025). Historic Rewilding : L.A. Zoo Conservation Partner GRACE Reintroduces
Four Grauer’s Gorillas to the Wild. Zoo View Magazine.
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Angela Meder (2025). Grauer’s Gorillas Successfully Reintroduced to the Wild. Gorilla Journal
No. 69 (Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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GRACE (2025). Four female gorillas reintroduced to the wild in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It is the largest release of eastern lowland gorillas to Virunga National Park
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D Magazine (2024). New Congolese Community Center Pays Tribute to Dallas Zoo’s Late CEO
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The Walt Disney Company (2024). Disney Champions Conservation with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
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The Walt Disney Company (2024). Disney Champions Conservation with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
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GRACE (2024). Protecting Grauer's Gorillas through Community Partnerships: Sustainable Woodlots in Kagheri.
Gorilla Journal No. 69 (Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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GRACE (2024). Unveiling the Conservation Journey: Insights from the 26th Tayna Gorilla
Reserve General Assembly. Gorilla Journal No. 68 (Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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Los Angeles Zoo (2023). Connecting Habitats: The Los Angeles Zoo Supports Development
of Democratic Republic of Congo Wildlife Corridor
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GRACE (2023). GRACE Celebrates International Women’s Day. Gorilla
Journal No. 66 (Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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GRACE (2023). Connecting Primary 6 Students with Endemic Wildlife in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
IZE Journal 2023: 17 - 23. Accessible online
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GRACE. (2023). GRACE Celebrates International Women's Day . Gorilla Journal No. 66 ( Journal of Berggorilla &
Regenwald Direkthilfe). Accessible online
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Daniel, E. (2023). Gracefully saving Eastern Lowland Gorillas . Re:wild News
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Kimbrough, L. (2023). Camera trap images of rare gorillas with infants bring hope in DRC . Mongabay News
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Iyer, N. , Kahlenberg, S. M. , Williamson, E. A. , Kyungu, J. - C. , Syaluha, E. K. , Mbeke, J. K. , de Merode, E. ,
and Caillaud, D. (2023) . Viability analysis for population reinforcement of Grauer's gorillas at Mount
Tshiaberimu, Democratic Republic of the Congo . Journal of Wildlife Management 87 :e22384.
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Re:wild. (2023). Remote cameras confirm healthy populations of critically endangered eastern lowland
gorillas in community - managed reserve. Re:wild Press Release. Accessible online
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GRACE (2022). GRACE Celebrates World Gorilla Day. Gorilla Journal No. 65 (Journal
of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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GRACE (2022). Photos of Hope from Tayna Nature Reserve. Gorilla Journal No. 64 (Journal
of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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Los Angeles Zoo (2022). Call of the Wild: Recycle a cell phone—help save a gorilla’s life
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Inspiring the next generation - June 2022, Gorilla Journal
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GRACE. (2022). GRACE Celebrates World Gorilla Day. Gorilla Journal No. 65 ( Journal of Berggorilla &
Regenwald Direkthilfe). Accessible online
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GRACE. (2022). GRACE Uses Radio for Conservation Education. Gorilla Journal No. 65 ( Journal of Berggorilla &
Regenwald Direkthilfe). Accessible online:
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GRACE (2022). Inspiring the Next Generation. Gorilla Journal No. 64 (Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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GRACE (2022). Photos of Hope from Tayna Nature Reserve. Gorilla Journal No. 64 (Journal of Berggorilla &
Regenwald Direkthilfe). Accessible online
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GRACE (2022). A Silver Lining for Gorilla Conservation: Using Radio for Education Outreach in DR Congo.
AZA Conservation Education Committee Newsletter. 2022: Vol 16, Issue 1; pp. 8 - 10.
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GRACE (2022). Radio as a Tool for Conservation. IZE Journal 2022: 32 - 35. Accessible online
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Teachers create lasting change for people and other primates via clean cookstoves - February 2021, Mongabay News
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DRC: Confirmed presence of Grauer’s gorillas in Tayna nature reserve (Study) - August 2021, Desk Nature
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Fawcett, K. & Kabuyaya Mbeke, J. (2021). Survey of Great Apes (Gorilla beringei graueri, Pan troglodytes
schweinfurthii) in Tayna Nature Reserve, Eastern DR Congo. Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe
(Gorilla Journal: 23). Accessible online
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The Walt Disney Company (2020). ‘The One and Only Ivan’ Carries on Disney’s Commitment to Conservation and
Animal Care
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Progress at GRACE Amid Serious Challenges - January 2020, Gorilla Journal
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Coronavirus: How to see the world without leaving your home - 4/04/2020, BBC World News
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Beat the COVID-19 Blues With These Wildlife and Nature Livecams - 3/18/2020, Center for Biological Diversity
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Amazing GRACE – Celebrating World Gorilla Day - 9/24/2019, Disney Parks Blog
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World Gorilla Day: Disney’s influence runs from Animal Kingdom to Congo and beyond - 9/24/2019, Orlando Sentinel
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GRACE Center is Accredited by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries - 9/17/2019, GFAS Blog
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Griffin Claw unveils banana stout to support endangered Grauer’s gorilla - 9/17/2019, MLive
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There’s a New Baby Gorilla at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! - 5/2/2019, Disney Parks Blog
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Disney Conservation Fund Celebrates its 2018 Conservation Heroes - 3/1/2019, The Walt Disney Company
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Cellphones are still endangering gorillas, but recycling old ones can help - 1/17/2019, Mongabay
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GoPro for a Cause: GRACE Grauer Gorilla Sanctuary - 12/22/2018, GoPro’s The Inside Line
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Wildlife Heroes Receive New Grant From The Houston Zoo - 12/16/2018, Houston Zoo
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Jackson Mbeke décoré du Prix Virginia McKenna pour protection des gorilles - 10/31/2018, Radio Okapi
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Winner of Virginia McKenna Award 2018 - 10/26/2018, Born Free Foundation
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Can social media save great apes? - 10/16/2018, Mongabay
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Ape sanctuaries in the DRC brace as Ebola hits country - 10/2/2018, Mongabay
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World Gorilla Day: good news and grave threats - 9/23/2018, Mongabay
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World Gorilla Day: Show your support and celebrate with GRACE - 9/21/2018, Africa Geographic
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Meet Saambili, The Dallas Zoo’s Baby Girl Gorilla - 7/20/2018, KERA News
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Zoo names baby gorilla after influential caretaker - 7/20/2018, The Dallas Zoo
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In Maine, saving the Congo’s gorillas - 1/14/2018, Lewiston Sun Journal
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Trump family planning policy may hurt women and environment - 11/10/2017, Mongabay
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Wildlife Wednesday: Disney Lends a Hand… and a Biscuit… to Support Gorillas in the Wild - 9/20/2017, Disney
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Ensuring the Welfare of Grauer’s Gorillas at GRACE - 8/22/2017, ASP
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Endangered Eastern Lowland Gorilla Orphan Finds New Home - 7/25/2017, Arcus Foundation
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Call of the Wild - 7/24/2017, L.A. Zoo
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Critically endangered gorilla gives birth, then picks her own baby name - 6/29/2017, CBS News
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‘Gorilla moms’: The women rescuing Congo’s endangered primates - 6/14/2017, The Guardian
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Women could be a key to great ape conservation in the Congo - 4/21/2017, Mongabay
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Proposed Trump policy threatens critically endangered Grauer’s gorilla - 2/21/2017, Mongabay
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Education: Instilling Respect for Gorillas and the Environment in the Congo - 2/14/2017, Detroit Zoo
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You Can Join in the L.A. Zoo’s Work to Support Gorilla Conservation - 2/7/2017, L.A. Zoo
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Wildlife Wednesday: Disney Helps ‘Reverse the Decline’ of Great Apes - 12/21/2016, Disney
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GRACE (2016). Rehabilitating Grauer’s Gorillas at GRACE. Gorilla Journal No. 53 (Journal of Berggorilla &
Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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Nashville Zoo Receives International Award for Gorilla Conservation - 11/2/2016, Nashville Zoo
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Amazing GRACE - 10/12/2016, L.A. Zoo
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Philly Zoo Announces Baby Gorilla’s Name After Online Voting (video) - 10/4/2016, NBC
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It’s a Girl! Philadelphia Zoo Confirms Gender of Gorilla Baby - 9/27/2016, Philadelphia Zoo
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Gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo Have Strong Connection to Metro Detroit - 7/25/2016, Royal Oak Patch
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Little gorilla gets a new family - 7/13/2016, IFAW
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Veterinary Care: Gorillas in the Congo - 11/18/2015, Detroit Zoo
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Orphaned Lowland Gorilla Kalonge Thriving at GRACE - 9/9/2015, Virunga NP
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Orphan Kalonge Transferred to GRACE - 7/30/2015, Gorilla Doctors
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GRACE (2015). GRACE Forest Enclosure. Gorilla Journal No. 50 (Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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Wildlife Wednesday: Reports from the Field: GRACE - 5/27/2015, Disney
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Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Names 2014 Conservation Heroes
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The Forgotten Gorillas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - 1/31/2014, Maisonneuve
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Orphaned Gorillas in Africa Under Watchful Care at… Center Supported by Disney - 10/31/2012, Disney
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Two New Grauer’s Gorilla Infants Confiscated, In Our Care in Congo - 9/24/2012, Dian Fossey Fund
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Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (2011). Disney Animal Experts Play Key Role in Gorilla Rescue Efforts
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Orphan Shamavu New Addition to GRACE Center - 10/31/2011, Dian Fossey Fund
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New Infant Gorilla Ihomé Arrives at GRACE - 6/6/2011, Dian Fossey Fund
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Wildlife Wednesdays: Protecting Wildlife and Nature in Africa – Community - 5/11/2011, Disney
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Wildlife Wednesdays: Protecting Wildlife and Nature in Africa – Gorillas - 5/4/2011, Disney
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Orphan Kyasa Settles In at GRACE - 2/2/2011, Dian Fossey Fund
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Orphaned gorillas find a safe haven - 12/17/2010, CNN
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Meet the GRACE Gorilla Caregivers - 10/22/2010, Dian Fossey Fund
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Gorillas Prepare to Move to GRACE - 9/3/2010, Dian Fossey Fund
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Doug Cress (2010). GRACE Center. Gorilla Journal No. 40 (Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe)
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Building a Home for Orphaned Gorillas - 6/3/2010, Disney
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Tayna Radio Station Rising from the Ashes - 4/1/2009, Dian Fossey Fund
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Fossey Fund Becomes Primary Partner with the Tayna Gorilla Reserve - 7/1/2001, Dian Fossey Fund
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Return of Organization Exempt From Income tax - 2021
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Return of Organization Exempt From Income tax - 2020
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GRACE Center - WAZA
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Female

Born: 2006 (estimated) Rescued: 2006

Tumaini means “hope” in Kiswahili. Rescued from poachers near Goma in 2006, Tumaini was very young, between three and six months old, and in poor health. Tumaini is a peaceful and very social member of the group at GRACE, but can become protective of her food, especially her favorite – wild bananas. Tumaini seems to want to be the most dominant gorilla in her age group and likes to display often to show off. She is shorter than other gorillas her size, which may be a result of stunted growth from malnutrition experienced at an early age.

Male

Born: 2010 (estimated) Rescued: 2011

Shamavu was carried around for weeks in a small backpack while his captors searched for a potential buyer. Once confiscated, he received medical attention in Virunga National Park and then was transferred by plane to GRACE. Shamavu is the youngest male in the group of 14 gorillas at GRACE. He’s full of restless energy with an inexhaustible eagerness to play. He and male Lubutu are best pals and they’re often seen wrestling and chasing each other up trees, around stumps and through their night quarters. Shamavu boasts thick dark hair and striking eyes. Watch Shamavu’s trip to GRACE.

Female

Born: 2002 (estimated) Rescued: 2005

Confiscated near Goma in eastern DR Congo, Serufuli was named after a North Kivu, DR Congo governor. She was between two and three years of age when she was rescued. Serufuli is a beautiful gorilla that is described by staff as kind. She is one of the quieter gorillas and rarely causes a stir, but she has close friendships with both of the highest-ranking females at GRACE — Pinga and Mapendo — and can influence who is seen as the dominant female by the group.

Female

Born: 2003 (estimated) Rescued: 2005

From the moment Pinga was rescued from poachers, her rescuers knew that she was a gorilla destined to be in charge! Pinga has always been very “wild-like” in that she is not human-oriented — a promising quality that will make her a strong candidate for reintroduction. Pinga is the oldest female at GRACE and led the group for several years before male Kighoma came of age. She is still one of the highest-ranking females in the group, but now jockeys for the alpha female role with Mapendo. Pinga has been the loving surrogate mother to almost every orphan gorilla at GRACE.

Female

Born: 2009 (estimated) Rescued: 2010

When Ndjingala was barely one year old, she was rescued from captors who were trying to sell her illegally. She was in bad shape when she was found. Her captors had tied her using a rope around her waist, which had worn deep cuts into her hips – plus she was sick. Fortunately, Ndjingala’s health slowly improved. Ndjingala loves to play and climb trees, and has a bit of a goofy side. She has started to be interested in mothering younger gorillas and often carries them around on her back.

 

Female

Born: 2010 (estimated) Rescued: 2011

Muyisa was rescued in 2011 on the border of Rwanda and DR Congo. She was taken into Rwanda, and then due to insecurity could not return to her home in DR Congo for three years. During this time, she lived alone with only a human caregiver and she unfortunately suffered from stress and pulled out much of the hair on her head as a result. Remarkably, when Muyisa met the group at GRACE, the gorillas physically embraced her and she integrated seamlessly into the group. Today, she is a confident young female who loves playing with gorillas her age.

Female

Born: 2004 (estimated) Rescued: 2007

Mapendo, whose name means “great love” in Kiswahili, was about three years old when she was confiscated from poachers in December of 2007. She is a tough girl, and very smart. She occasionally uses tools, including branches which she uses to rake in food out of her reach when her caregivers are not looking! Mapendo is one of the highest-ranking females in the GRACE group, jockeying for the role of alpha female with Pinga.

Female

Born: 2015 (estimated) Rescued: 2016

Lulingu is the youngest gorilla at GRACE, and is really adorable. All of the older females love Lulingu and try to carry her whenever her surrogate mother Pinga will let them. The GRACE caregivers think Lulingu (sometimes called “Luli”) is the perfect little gorilla because she always takes her food and medicine and loves the forest. She is adventurous and loves to climb high in trees. Lulingu has always had an independent nature — on her first day in the forest, she immediately climbed a tree and made her own nest! See her full story here.

Male

Born: 2009 (estimated) Rescued: 2011

When Lubutu was about one and a half, he was rescued by the wildlife authority from four people illegally trying to sell him. He was extremely sick at the time from eating human foods. Despite his rough start, Lubutu adapted well to life at GRACE. Lubutu is now healthy and happy. He is silly and gentle and has endeared himself to every person who has met him. Lubutu is growing up and starting to show more silverback-like behavior, but he still loves to play — especially chasing and wrestling games with his best friend Shamavu!

Male

Born: 2006 (estimated) Rescued: 2008

Kighoma was held captive in near the Tayna Nature Reserve in eastern DR Congo by a militia group. Such groups often keep young gorillas and other wildlife as mascots. He was rescued by a man named Kighoma, the brother of a local king, so that is how he got his name.Kighoma is the oldest of the males at GRACE and is currently the alpha male. He is a gentle leader, always looking out for the safety of the other gorillas in the group.

Female

Born: 2012 (estimated) Rescued: 2014

Kalonge was confiscated by the Congolese wildlife authority in 2014 after villagers discovered her caught in a snare. Today, she is one of the boldest members of the GRACE group. She is an energetic, rough-and-tumble gorilla who likes to play and have her own way. Kalonge can be a trouble-maker with high-ranking females like Pinga, because she wants to be in charge! Despite her leadership aspirations, little Kalonge has many friends and loves to play all day every day!

Female

Born: 2003 (estimated) Rescued: 2004

Itebero was only about one-and-a-half years old when she was confiscated from poachers. She was named after the village in eastern DR Congo where she was rescued. Itebero is considered the smartest gorilla at GRACE by caregivers. She uses tools such as branches to help her access food out of her reach. She even has used the advanced “hammer-and-anvil” technique of cracking palm nuts to get to the oil inside, a method previously thought to be restricted to chimpanzees who are known for their tool-using abilities. Itebero’s tool use even made headlines!

Female

Born: 2007 (estimated) Rescued: 2009

On the day she was rescued, Amani was found stuffed into a plastic bag and was very dehydrated. She had a bullet lodged in her right leg as a result of the poaching incident that killed her family. While she is still a little slow and walks with a limp, she has healed well. Many of the GRACE caregivers believe that Amani is the most beautiful gorilla at GRACE because of her pretty face and sweet personality. She loves to play with the younger gorillas and is a peacemaker after conflicts within the group.

Female

Born: 2011 (estimated) Rescued: 2012

Isangi’s family was killed by poachers when she was around 9 months old. Isangi is tough young gorilla for surviving the ordeal that took her from her family group. She walks around almost as if she is the dominant female, like nothing can harm her. She is quite mischievous, and really loves her food. She tries to sneak tasty treats from the caregiver’s food buckets, and will even try and steal food from other gorillas.