The MaKoko Gorilla Sanctuary
Koko showed the world how deeply gorillas think, feel and relate to others. Yet in the wild, gorillas remain critically endangered, while many in captivity spend their lives in relatively small enclosures far removed from the forests they evolved to inhabit.
The MaKoko Gorilla Sanctuary offers a different future for both wild-born and captive gorillas: expansive forest and savannah habitats where rescued orphans and other gorillas capable of adapting can prepare for release into the surrounding protected reserve, while those who cannot be released can live out their lives in a natural forest environment with far greater freedom, choice and autonomy.
Partnership Model
MaKoko is being designed by The Gorilla Foundation in partnership with the Aspinall Foundation and Stantec, a global architecture and engineering firm.
The Aspinall Foundation brings four decades of experience rehabilitating and rewilding gorillas in the Republic of Congo, including within the Lesio-Louna Reserve, where the MaKoko Gorilla Sanctuary will be established. The Gorilla Foundation brings more than four decades of experience communicating with and caring for gorillas, including Koko, Michael and Ndume. Together with Stantec’s design and engineering expertise, the partnership combines gorilla care, rewilding, conservation and innovative sanctuary design.
Current Status
We are currently developing a detailed 3D model of the sanctuary so people can see exactly how MaKoko will look and function before construction begins.
The visualizations will include a gorilla’s-eye view of the journey from captivity toward greater freedom — showing what it could feel like to enter expansive natural habitats, move through forest and savannah, and ultimately live the kind of life gorillas evolved to live.
Once the design and visualization phase is complete, we will seek a fourth major partner to help fund construction and long-term operations, with the goal of developing a sanctuary that can ultimately become financially self-sustaining.
Video Connection
Another unique feature of MaKoko is an integrated network of distributed video cameras designed to monitor the gorillas unobtrusively throughout the sanctuary while preserving their privacy and minimizing human intrusion.
Selected footage can then be professionally produced and shared with people around the world, allowing audiences to observe gorillas living, exploring and forming relationships in a natural environment.
By bringing people closer to gorillas without requiring the gorillas to be constantly exposed to visitors, MaKoko can help build empathy for this critically endangered species while reducing the pressure of traditional in-person viewing. It represents a new model of gorilla care in which sanctuary, conservation, communication and education reinforce one another.
How You Can Help
We welcome ideas, expertise, questions and potential partners who would like to help make MaKoko a reality:
