Help raise awareness of Virunga's mountain gorilla conservation efforts

The conservation of mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park is a rare but impressive achievement. Due to ongoing conflict and insecurity in the region, it is incredibly challenging to protect the Park and this endangered species and requires the tireless efforts of Rangers, community trackers and gorilla doctors.

What Is World Gorilla Day?

World Gorilla Day is celebrated every year on September 24; a global day of awareness dedicated to celebrating gorillas and strengthening support for their conservation.

At Virunga National Park, home to roughly a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, this day carries particular weight.

Protecting this endangered species in a region affected by ongoing conflict and insecurity requires the tireless, daily efforts of Rangers, alongside community trackers and gorilla doctors; efforts that continue 365 days a year, not only on September 24.

Mountain Gorillas in Virunga

Virunga National Park is one of the last strongholds of the mountain gorilla, a species once feared to be on the brink of extinction. Thanks to decades of ranger protection, habituation, and veterinary monitoring, mountain gorilla numbers have grown, a rare conservation success story achieved despite significant challenges in the region.


Learn about our conservation work

On the ground, every day

  • 11 gorilla families monitored daily

  • 59 community trackers alongside Rangers

  • ~3,000 patrols per year in the gorilla sector

  • ~25,000 kilometres covered per year

  • 365 days of monitoring per year

Shop and Support Our Gorillas

  •

    A Century of Conservation

    Celebrate 100 years of Virunga with our commemorative anniversary book – every copy helps protect Africa’s oldest national park.

    Shop Now

  • Origins Chocolate & Coffee

    Indulge in our collection of artisan chocolates, crafted from the finest cacao grown in the fertile volcanic soils of the Virunga region.

    Shop Now

  • New Gorilla Wall Calendar 2027

    Twelve months of stunning gorilla photography, and every calendar you buy supports their protection in Virunga.

    Shop Now

Frequent Asked Questions

A. World Gorilla Day is observed every year on September 24.

A. Virunga is home to 265 mountain gorillas habituated to human presence, monitored across the Mikeno sector, and 11 eastern lowland gorillas, monitored on Mount Tshiaberimu.

A. Mountain gorillas are among the rarest great apes on Earth, found only in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi Forest, across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. They remain endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease. Protecting their habitat and health requires consistent conservation efforts, including daily Ranger and community tracker patrols, monitoring, and veterinary care.

A. You can donate, adopt a gorilla, purchase official merchandise, or help raise awareness by liking and sharing Virunga's content on social media.

A. Adopting a gorilla helps fund the daily protection, monitoring, and veterinary care that keep Virunga's gorilla populations safe, including Ranger patrols, tracking by community trackers, and health checks by gorilla doctors.