The Eastern Lowland Gorilla, also known as Grauer’s Gorilla, is one of the world's most critically endangered primates. With fewer than 6,800 individuals left in the world, these gentle giants are teetering on the brink of extinction. But there is hope. The Tayna Nature Reserve, located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is home to an estimated 150+ individuals of Eastern Lowland Gorillas. Thanks to the efforts of local communities and conservationists, it may be a place where these primates can thrive.
Newly captured images from camera traps have recorded two infant-mother pairs in the last year, which provides hope for the future of the species. The presence of healthy family groups of Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Tayna showcases the success of the reserve, which was created and managed by local communities.
The Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center, a partner of Re:wild, operates the world's only sanctuary for rescued Eastern lowland gorillas. GRACE works with local communities on conservation education, forest protection and sustainable livelihoods to help secure a future for Eastern Lowland Gorillas and to foster a peaceful coexistence between humans and gorillas. The local community is an integral part of the monitoring effort. Monitoring teams are hired and trained from local communities, in partnership with the elected management authority, Réserve des Gorilles de Tayna (RGT).
The monitoring teams provide a continuous presence in an area of the reserve with a high density of gorillas. Vital monitoring information, including camera-trap images, helps conservationists answer questions about this little-studied species that will help protect them. The long-standing relationship between GRACE, RGT and local communities makes the monitoring program possible.
The successful model of Tayna's community-managed reserve and the commitment of GRACE in protecting the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, is continuously inspiring. Despite the challenges they face in one of the most remote places in the world, GRACE is providing a lifeboat for this critically endangered primate and doing so hand-in-hand with local communities.
It's essential to remember the survival of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla rests in the hands of the communities that live alongside them. By working together, we can ensure that these magnificent creatures continue to thrive in the wild. We must continue to support and collaborate with local communities to develop sustainable solutions that protect not only the gorillas but also the habitat they depend on. With continued effort, we can create a future where the Eastern Lowland Gorilla can thrive and flourish.
Photos credits: Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center.