When I first began to blog about the Earth and the natural world, I knew it would not be easy. Sometimes I become overwhelmed with all of the avoidable tragedies occuring on a global scale. Some days I feel it is a downhill battle, and I become discouraged. Yet most days I am optimistic, and strive for a better place for all of us (man and animal alike) to live in a harmonious balance. I have been in the middle of an unpleasant battle on my own homefront. My family is in turmoil, and I am falling short of my environmental and nature goals. This does not mean I have given up. It just means my skills as a parent and concientious human being have been shifted to a different front as of late.

Today I would like to share a message which touches upon a subject dear to my heart. I have followed the journey of Koko the Gorilla for a very long time. I love all animals, yet Koko has endeared herself quite soundly! Let’s take a few moments to delve into the most current chapter of Koko’s story, and see what we can do to help out…

I wanted to share some exciting news with you ? the United Nations has declared 2009 The Year of the Gorilla. I urge you to observe this with us by renewing your commitment to the Gorilla Foundation today.

During this special year, we all need to intensify our efforts to raise awareness and encourage action.? Gorillas need more than a stimulus package; they need a safety net. Your gift today will allow us to:

Please donate today

Thank you so very much, and please accept my deepest gratitude for your generous donations during this very special year.

Penny and Koko

Penny Patterson, President and Director of Research
Koko, “Fine animal gorilla person”

PS: When you donate, you’ll receive an official Gorilla Foundation membership card (above right) and unique gorilla bookmarks (right) in addition to all of our other membership benefits. If you’ve already renewed your support (or are an APE member) thank you so much!

I really love it when I have good news to share. The recent find of a large population of lowland gorillas in the Republic of the Congo, alive and totally thriving, is to my eyes a great find indeed! The Wildlife Conservation Society released a recent census which has astounding numbers. According to the new census, they have tallied more than 125,000 of these elusive gorillas in two adjacent areas in the northern part of the country, covering an area of 18,000 square miles (47,000 square kilometers). It is said that previous estimates from the 1980s placed the entire population of western lowland gorillas, which occur in seven Central African nations, at less than 100,000. However, according to popular belief, scientists had believed that this number had at least halved, due to hunting and disease.

WCS says a combination of factors led to such high numbers of gorillas including: successful long-term conservation management of the Republic of Congo’s protected areas; remoteness and inaccessibility of some of the key locations where the gorillas were found; and a food-rich habitat, particularly in some of the swamp forests and the herb-rich “Marantaceae” forests.

While this is excellent news indeed, now we need to work fast to make sure protections are put in place for these precious creatures. There is always the danger of potential deforestation as well as illegal poaching, now that this discovery has been made public. Across Central Africa, gorillas face the looming threats of hunting for bushmeat and the spread of the Ebola virus, which is lethal to gorillas as well as humans. WCS is working with partners to combat Ebola, eliminate commercial hunting, and secure this last stronghold for Africa’s apes. WCS cautioned that many of the gorillas live outside of existing protected areas, though the Government of Congo has committed to creating a new national park in the Ntokou-Pikounda region.

Let’s just hope folks sit up and listen, and realize how important it is for us to protect our wildlife and wild places, for the resources they provide in the long term are so very precious. Nature provides so many treasures and as stewards of this planet we must preserve the green world and the wild creatures who help create the balance.

For more detailed information you may wish to visit Wildlife Conservation Society

Here is a great place to get some amazing Gorilla Facts!

The largest of the great apes, the gorilla is among our most endangered species. Gorillas are shy and peaceful. The only natural enemy of gorillas has always been human beings. Gorillas are still hunted for meat (bushmeat) and trophies in some parts of Africa, and they are caught in traps set for other animals. In the past, whenever an infant gorilla was captured for a zoo, the mother and often the other members of the family were killed as they defended the baby. Now the most serious threat to free-living gorillas is the human population explosion. As more and more people take over the land for agriculture, logging and other development, the gorillas have nowhere left to go.

Please come and join us at Vote4Cause and vote for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International..

Description: The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. We are committed to promoting continued research on their threatened ecosystems and education about their relevance to the world in which we live. In collaboration with government agencies and other international partners, we also provide assistance to local communities through education, health, training and economic development initiatives.

Please join us to vote and chat…the gorillas need you!

Go here and Vote… Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International 

Thank you!

Take a few moments to visit World Wild Life to learn more about these wonderful creatures.

You may also wish to visit Koko Kids Club to get some amazing facts about Gorillas.

All Life is Sacred…

 

Now, this is sweet! Koko turned 36 in July, and what a wonderful Birthday party she had!! She is truly loved, as one can tell by the thoughts and efforts put into her Hawaiian style themed party. Flowered leis and tropical scenery brought a Hawaiian vacation getaway right to her own home. And the delectable fruity treats created for both her and her mate Ndume make this a Luau to remember.

Follow this link to learn more about the amazingly sweet Koko and her Birthday Celebrations…

Koko’s 36th Birthday Party

Enjoy sharing Kokos wonderful moments!