LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Disney’s Animal Kingdom honored the life and legacy of Gino,a beloved western lowland gorilla who passed away earlier this year,on World Gorilla Day,September 20th. The festivity highlighted Disney’s longstanding commitment to gorilla conservation through the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF).
Since its inception at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the DCF has directed more than $4.5 million over the past 30 years to support gorilla protection efforts across their native habitats, encompassing all gorilla subspecies. This commitment extends to community-based initiatives focused on gorilla recovery.
Gino’s impact was notably profound in the creation of GRACE (Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center), the first and only sanctuary for critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the congo. “Gino was a true ambassador for gorillas everywhere. His life and care inspired the creation of GRACE,” said Dr. Katie Fawcett, Executive Director of GRACE Gorillas. “Today, rescued gorillas are returned to a life in the wild.Gino’s legacy continues to shape conservation and gorilla wellbeing in the heart of the Congo Rainforest, inspiring the creation of protected habitats were people, forests and wildlife thrive.”
To further its dedication,Disney announced $500,000 in new funding for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and GRACE.These grants will support community efforts to protect 3,500 square kilometers of forest corridor habitat,vital for the survival of the critically endangered eastern lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“We celebrate Gino’s legacy not only in the joy he brought to those who visited him, but in the awareness he helped raise for the urgent need to protect gorillas in the wild,” stated Dr. Tara Stoinski,CEO/Chief Scientific Officer,Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. “On this World Gorilla Day, the inspiration of Gino’s life is a reminder that together we can ensure a future for gorillas and their forest homes, which help maintain a healthy planet for us all.”
