In 2008 The Gorilla Foundation gifted teaching materials and supported teacher training in all 33 of the Baptist and Presbyterian secondary colleges in Cameroon. In November we evaluated how our materials and training had been used, and assessed their educational impact. The results of those evaluations will be presented in 2009 as part of a new feature of Koko.org's African Updates: Conservation Education Project Reports. This month we want to describe a remarkable new application for our Koko education program that is emerging in parochial schools where hearing-impaired students are bei...

Caption: Koko "asks" us to help teach ASL

The report of a new census showing that more western lowland gorillas live in the northern region of Republic of Congo than previously thought, has encouraged us at the Gorilla Foundation to step up our conservation efforts. Like all news, this story needs to be examined in proper perspective. The headline of a “mother lode” of gorillas must not be taken to mean that gorillas are no longer in danger. Our own silverback Michael was a western lowland gorilla orphaned by the bushmeat trade; his relatives continue to be hunted across their range and have suffered huge losses in ...

Caption: Michael relates memory of his mother's murder in Africa (see video)

It’s a well-known fact that when the people of America tighten their belts, the people of Africa go hungry.  Here in California we cut back on driving with gasoline at $4.50 a gallon.  In Cameroon when gas prices get too high, people simply stay at home, don’t go to work, and walk miles to the market if they have money enough to buy food.  But the dedicated staff of The Gorilla Foundation Africa Field Office won’t give up.  Our teachers hitch rides and walk to the school house with precious copies of Koko’s Kitten in their packs and students cheer to see them, excited t...

Caption: Walking to work in Cameroon"

It is rare that we hear good news about gorillas from Africa, but this update brings hope in the form of three stories and an opportunity to do more: Beacon of hope (New Baby) A most powerful reminder of the good we humans can do, a new baby gorilla has been born at the Michael habitat in Cameroon. Mother Avishag, one of the original babies herself at the sanctuary, and her baby are both doing well in the safe care provided by dedicat...

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She arrived in a 4WD covered with dust, just returned from a conservation project in the northwest of the country. This is how I met Penny Fraser, head of Koko's Conservation Values Programme, “in situ” in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This June I had the tremendous opportunity to see first-hand some of the critical work she and the program are doing. “Our other Penny,” she had arranged for me to visit one of the schools participating in the CVP, and had organized a seminar on the topic “Conservation Pers...

Caption: Enthusiastic student at YMCA elementary school in Mendong.