The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Annual Report 2013

THE DIAN FOSSEY Spring 2014

Infant mountain gorilla Fasha was born to mother Muganga in 2013, into a group monitored and protected by the Fossey Fund. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Annual Report 2013 Saving gorillas from extinction is a massive, complex and such as collecting data electronically and using remote cameras daunting mission. It is difficult not to be overwhelmed by the to record events in the forest. And, in addition to our long- responsibility and the many challenges involved. Yet, once again, term work in Rwanda, we are now collecting exciting new data the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has completed another year of suc - on the little-studied Grauer’s gorillas in the Democratic cessfully protecting gorillas, the 46th since the founding of our Republic of Congo and working on methods for their protec - Karisoke Research Center by Dr. Dian Fossey in 1967. tion as well. Although our mountain gorilla “extreme conservation” efforts are having a positive effect, mountain gorillas and all of Planning for the future the other types of gorillas still face many threats and we are con - In 2013, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund began preparing for tinually adapting and finding new ways to help save them. With its first leadership change since the mid-1990s. Accordingly, on your support, we are able to focus on all the potential threats to Oct. 1, 2014, Fossey Fund President and CEO Clare Richard - their survival, even as these change from year to year. son, who has led the organization for 19 years, will take the For example, in recent years the gorilla groups we monitor new title of President Emerita and Director of Strategic Philan - have been changing, in terms of their numbers, their ranges and thropy. Fossey Fund Vice President and Chief Scientist Tara their behaviors. This has led to the need for more trackers to Stoinski, Ph.D., will become the new President and CEO. In cover new groups and wider ranges, as well as for more study taking over leadership of the Fossey Fund, Dr. Stoinski carries on the gorillas and their surroundings. Indeed in 2013 we mon - on the tradition of Dr. Fossey, who was herself a leading scien - itored and documented a dramatic increase in the number of tist as well as a conservationist. interactions among the mountain gorilla groups we follow. Our work in 2013 was made possible by our loyal members, Our long-term database and our steadily growing scientific partners, donors, sponsors, and other supporters. We are grate - studies are addressing these events as well as basic questions ful to have you join us in our efforts to save a magnificent about gorilla life, and as they are published in scientific jour - species and look forward to continuing this important and his - nals around the world, are available to all those who face criti - toric journey together, as we approach the 50th anniversary of cal conservation management decisions. the Karisoke Research Center in just a few years. We also continue to adapt new technologies to our work,

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Our work in Rwanda, =;<> Saving endangered mountain gorillas through extreme conservation

The core of the Fossey Fund’s ing gorillas would rebuild their work in Rwanda is the ongoing social world and regain the security daily protection and monitoring they once enjoyed under his leader - of mountain gorilla groups, which ship. These gorillas ended up merg - are among the most endangered ing with Ntambara’s group, after animals on earth. a very intense interaction that In 2013, our staff at the Karisoke occurred just a few days after Uru - Research Center monitored nine gamba’s death. groups of gorillas, with two new Two of the gorillas we monitored groups forming during the course went “missing” in 2013. One was of the year. One group disintegrated 3-year-old Turate from Gushimira’s after the death of the dominant sil - group, who was not found in his verback. The 118 gorillas monitored group beginning in October. The constitute about one quarter of the second was 29-year-old female total population of mountain goril - Umusatsi, who disappeared May 9 las in the Virungas, which stood at from Giraneza’s group. Due to her 480 during the last census. habit of traveling alone and trans - Each mountain gorilla group has ferring from one group to another, a dedicated team of Fossey Fund her status was considered unknown trackers who monitor them every and in fact she was seen again in day. The trackers’ presence helps early 2014. keep the gorillas safe and allows us An exceptional number of to take immediate action when a female gorilla transfers occurred in gorilla is caught in a snare or faces 2013. In total, we recorded 24 other dangers. We call this “extreme Silverback Ntambara saw his group grow in 2013, when episodes of transfers carried out by members of Urugamba’s group joined him. conservation” and it is working. 16 females. Together with the trans - In addition, our daily monitoring enables us to collect fer of Urugamba’s members, that made for a very active year behavioral, health, ranging and other information about the in group composition. In addition, the nine main groups we groups and individual gorillas, which go into our long-term followed in 2013 were involved in 48 interactions, 40 of which database, initiated by Dian Fossey more than 46 years ago. occurred between groups and the rest between one group and This uninterrupted documentation of gorilla behavior has one lone silverback. provided incredible insights into the lives of the mountain goril - In May, silverback Iyambere left Pablo’s group, becoming las. Our staff also continue to prepare data for entry into the solitary. He has not been seen since. Six of the known lone Fossey Fund’s online database of gorilla behavior and demo - silverbacks were encountered in 2013: Gwiza, Mafunzo, graphic data, which is currently in development. In 2013, we Gushimira (before forming his own small group), Turatsinze, piloted a new method of field data collection using handheld Rukundo and Twihangane. computer devices and software known as CyberTracker. Anti-poaching activities Gorilla group and individual news The Fossey Fund’s anti-poaching team carried out 324 patrols Fifteen infants were born in the gorilla groups we monitor in 2013, 49 of which were held in conjunction with trackers from in 2013 and eight gorillas died (one silverback and seven Rwanda’s park management (RDB/Rwanda Development infants). Among the seven infants who died, four succumbed Board). This resulted in the destruction of 506 snares. Together to infanticide, while the causes of the other three deaths were with RDB some 1,055 snares were found in total. While these undetermined. snares are generally set for other animals in the forest, such as The silverback who died was 21-year-old Urugamba, the antelope, gorillas can get caught in them too, and that happened leader and only silverback in his small group of just seven goril - four times among the gorillas that we monitor. las and who was always known for his peaceful demeanor. This In February, juvenile Dukore from Kuryama’s group got unexpected death was a rare chance to observe how the surviv - caught in a snare but was able to cut the snare rope from the THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL 3

Our teams helped destroy 506 snares in 2013. Field staff also began using handheld CyberTracker devices for data collection. branch with his teeth (our staff fall and bamboo growth. did not witness this but found Data on behavioral ecology that the edge of the rope was of the golden monkeys was col - frayed). An intervention (in con - lected in the “Kabatwa” golden junction with Gorilla Doctors monkey group for 256 days and RDB) was done on the fol - during 2013. We recorded 13 lowing day to remove the births in this group, which is remaining part of the rope. In composed of more than 100 March, our trackers found juve - individuals. Data on golden nile Hagaruka ensnared and still monkey food plant species were attached to the branch holding collected in the group’s home the snare. They cut the snare Fossey staff worked with Rwanda park authorities to use ranges at two-week intervals. remote cameras in the forest. This serval is among those seen. with a machete and then Overall, the health status of this Hagaruka managed to cut the rest of the rope with his teeth. group was good during the whole year and their home range In September, infant Susuruka from Bwenge’s group also was stable. got caught in a snare. Trackers found him and cut the rope Common bird monitoring started in June for the 2013 ses - from the branch, with an intervention done on the following sion and data was collected for 71 days in Buhanga eco-park day to remove the remaining part of the rope. And finally, on and Volcanoes National Park. Some highlights include sighting Dec. 25, infant Sabato from Ugenda’s group got caught in a of the African pitta (a migratory bird species) in Buhanga. An snare and managed to cut the rope from the branches with his Albertine Rift bird species called the “Shelley’s Crimson-wing” teeth. Another intervention was then done to remove the was recorded in the Volcanoes National Park, and is the 16th remaining part of that snare. endemic bird species and fourth threatened bird species in the The Fossey Fund collaborates with the Gorilla Doctors and Fossey Fund bird research records. This bird was once seen Rwanda Development Board in medical interventions done near the border of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and among the gorilla groups we monitor. In addition to the snare Virunga National Park (in Congo), 10 years ago. removals, one intervention was done on a female exhibiting Our yearly survey of amphibians in the Volcanoes National significant illness of unknown cause, and another was done to Park was conducted over a period of 31 days in 2013. All treat a severe injury on an infant’s foot. data were collected using hand-held devices with CyberTracker applications developed specifically for this project. Eight Beyond gorillas: monkeys, birds and more amphi bian species were recorded during the survey. The Fossey Fund also observes other animals that live in the To find the presence of larger animals, the Fossey Fund par - forest with the mountain gorillas, as well as the plants and ticipated in a collaborative project with RDB in Volcanoes other aspects of the ecosystem, such as rainfall. In 2013 these National Park to operate remote cameras in the forest, between activities included monitoring golden monkeys, birds, and Mount Muhu bura and Mount Bisoke. Animals recorded by amphibians, as well as other aspects of the habitat such as rain - Continued on page 4 4 THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL

Continued from page 3 degree from the National University of Rwanda). They received these cameras in Volcanoes National Park included buffalo, training in how to deliver information about the need to con - bushbuck, duiker, genet, jackal and serval, in addition to goril - serve gorillas and their habitat, with the ultimate goal of las and golden monkeys. changing behavior toward the natural world. The lessons tar - geted all primary-3 and primary-5 children in six schools, Community programs: bringing the total number of par - Education ticipating children to 1,811. The Fossey Fund continued its Following the delivery of the efforts in local communities near lessons, the Fossey Fund gave 120 the Volcanoes National Park to best-performing primary-5 chil - help support gorilla conservation dren from the six schools an through education and health opportunity to visit the Volcanoes initiatives. National Park on a guided nature Students from the National walk that ended at Lake Ngezi, University of Rwanda’s (NUR) inside the park. biology department were given In an effort to provide students practical field research methods with educational resources training in the park in February. beyond the classroom, the Dian Zoology students were trained in Fossey Gorilla Fund also distrib - data collection methods for pri - Fossey Fund biodiversity manager Deo Tuyisingize works uted a coloring book called “Pri - mate behavior ecology, bird moni - with Rwandan university biology students. mates of Rwanda” (along with col - toring and large mammal research techniques, while the ored pencils) to 1,500 children in six primary schools located botany students were trained in random and stratified sam - around Volcanoes National Park. This is the second year in a pling of plants. Both groups had the chance to visit the Rugezi row that the Fossey Fund has printed and distributed the swamp (a wetland land protected by international law as habi - books. The coloring books, designed in collaboration with the tat for rare, endangered and endemic species as well as ecologi - Jane Goodall Institute of Uganda, contain photos and short cal services to Rwanda and the international community) to informative notes on all the primates found in Rwanda. see the impact of agriculture on the ecosystem and learn about With assistance from a Fossey Fund donor, 107 classroom the implications for water and electricity supply. desks were made and delivered to Bisate school in January. The In March 2013, Karisoke Research Center hosted a total of desks will seat 321 children and will help reduce the crowding 83 students and six lecturers from NUR for a three-day intro - that is still evident in the school. duction to mountain gorilla conservation field course. The A radio drama on mountain gorilla conservation titled course included presentations about the conservation of “Nyiramacibili” aired on Radio Musanze in June through mountain gorillas and other biodiversity in Volcanoes National August 2013. A total of 11 episodes were aired, one each week. Park and two field days to see the mountain gorillas and visit Feedback from the public was collected after each episode and Rugezi swamp. This course completes the “Principles of Ecol - the preliminary analysis shows that the drama was well ogy” and the “Plant and Animal Diversity” theoretical modules received by the public. Plans are in place to re-air the drama for the students and offers them a glimpse into zoology and in 2014. botany careers. In lower-grade education efforts, science teachers from Community programs: Health seven different schools near Volcanoes National Park were In 2013, the Fossey Fund’s ecosystem health program con - given two-day training on schoolyard ecology and nurturing tinued working toward reducing health threats facing the habitats for wildlife on school grounds. The participating wildlife in Volcanoes National Park, and tackling health prob - teachers are patrons of their schools’ nature clubs, which we lems that obstruct the socio-economic development of people have been collaborating with on “citizen science” initiatives living close to the park. since 2011, including common bird monitoring on school A particular focus was put on strengthening health strategies grounds. This program aims to promote student-directed, at Bisate clinic, as well as conducting a baseline assessment on interactive learning, as well as giving students an early oppor - water, sanitation, and hygiene; infectious diseases; and commu - tunity to become scientists, investigating real scientific issues in nity demographics and livelihoods in the Bisate catchment area. and around their community. The schoolyard wildlife habitat The main health program achievements in 2013 included initiative provides students and teachers with an outdoor “lab - assessment and treatment of intestinal parasites in people liv - oratory” where they can learn about species and ecosystems ing in Bisate Conservation Action Village, with 500 people while nurturing their curiosity about nature. tested for intestinal parasites and approximately 5,000 people In September, the Fossey Fund also participated in the receiving prophylactic medications. training of teaching assistants (all of whom have a biology THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL 5

Our work in Congo, =;<> Studying critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas Inspired by the successful Data from these surveys are model of saving mountain now being analyzed, but pre - gorillas in Rwanda, the Fossey liminary results show that the Fund is working in neighbor - area still contains many large ing Democratic Republic of mammals (though signs of Congo (DRC) to study and elephant presence are gone, protect the lesser-known seemingly within the past 15 Grauer’s gorillas (formerly years). The large mammals called eastern lowland) as well identified, in addition to as their ecosystems. This criti - gorilla, included yellow- cally endangered type of backed duiker, small red gorilla has received little pro - duiker species, blue duiker, tection due to civil unrest and sitatunga, water chevrotain, other factors, and it is believed western bongo, bushpig, aard - that their numbers are drop - vark, pangolin, red-tailed ping significantly. monkey, blue monkey, owl- Unlike mountain gorillas, The Fossey Fund is working with Congolese park authorities to faced monkey, and chim - there are few habituated study Grauer’s gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. panzee. Chimpanzees were groups of Grauer’s gorillas and they are spread out in vast found throughout the study area, while gorillas were more forests of eastern Congo. Over the past decade, the Fossey localized, possibly due to poaching in certain areas (gorillas Fund has set up various ways to learn more about these gorillas were found in those areas that are much harder for poachers and find the best ways to protect them, including working with to reach). community-based reserves and national parks, setting up a The teams came across many signs of poaching during their program to begin direct monitoring and protection, establish - surveys, including snares, traps, poachers’ camps and trapped ing a rehabilitation center for young gorillas rescued from animals. As an international NGO, our staff can only take lim - poachers, and assisting with gorilla rescue efforts. ited actions when coming upon illegal activities in the forest, but we work in conjunction with local leaders, who work with Setting the stage for Grauer’s protection local law enforcement authorities. In 2013, our Grauer’s Gorilla Research and Conservation In addition to the above survey project, we worked with Program carried out its next phase, after establishing a research Congolese park authorities (ICCN/Institut Congolais pour la base in Biruwe, hiring Congolese trackers and team leaders, Conservation de la Nature) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park to and conducting 30 explorations in Grauer’s territory in 2012. develop and implement a joint research project to study vari - The goals in 2013 included setting up a research protocol to ous aspects of Grauer’s gorilla groups and help develop infor - study Grauer’s gorilla densities on both sides of the Kyasa river, mation to assist park management with gorilla and habitat their feeding ecology and ranging patterns, as well as the conservation strategies. Study questions here include why impact of mining activities. Grauer’s gorilla groups seem to be limited to one male, how In March, 12 field technicians and three field assistants were this affects group dynamics and whether the higher frugivory trained in the techniques of collecting data on animal presence (fruit eating) of Grauer’s gorilla diets influences their ranging in the forest using the reconnaissance survey method, as well as patterns. In 2014, training of Kahuzi-Biega monitoring staff on collecting fecal samples from gorillas and chimpanzees for data collection is planned. DNA testing and feeding pattern information. Additionally, program director Urbain Ngobobo and GIS officer Escobar Gorilla rescue and rehabilitation Binyinyi attended advanced training on ArcGIS and R statisti - The Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education cal software for data presentation and analysis. Field staff are (GRACE) Center was founded in 2009 by the Fossey Fund in now collecting reliable data and completed data collection on collaboration with ICCN and Tayna Center for Conservation 85 transects consisting of 4 kilometers each, covering an area of Biology. GRACE is the only facility in the world dedicated to 700 square kilometers deep in the forest. Community reserve providing in situ rehabilitative care for orphaned Grauer’s landowners of these areas were closely involved and gave their gorillas and ultimately aims to reintroduce gorillas back into commitment and support to these efforts. Continued on page 6 6 THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL

Continued from page 5 in spring 2014. In the wild. GRACE also addition to benefit - works alongside local ting gorillas, this proj - communities, through ect also benefitted the education and other local community by outreach programs, employing more than to help ensure the 100 local people, long-term survival of mostly women, who wild gorilla popula - served as porters to tions. Other major transport the building partners for this proj - supplies. ect include The Walt A second signifi - Disney Company cant achievement was and the Houston, Dal - Fossey scientist Dr. Damien Caillaud working with GIS officer Escobar Binyinyi. a series of trainings las, Nash ville, and held at GRACE to build Detroit zoos. the capacity of the staff Located near the there. The gorillas are Tayna Nature Reserve in growing quickly and the North Kivu Province of caregivers at GRACE eastern DRC, GRACE must adapt to the goril - cared for 13 gorillas, ages las’ changing needs. 3-13 years, during 2013, Gorilla husbandry including two new goril - experts and scientists las who arrived during from Disney’s Animal the year. These gorillas Kingdom and the Hous - live in a single, integrated ton and Dallas zoos, all family group with older major GRACE partners, females serving as surro - conducted on-site train - gate mothers. ings to help the care - In 2013, GRACE givers learn new skills so achieved several impor - they can continue to tant milestones. First, provide top-notch care major progress was made as well as help prepare on the construction of a the gorillas for routine forest enclosure for the A special forest enclosure called the “freedom fence” got underway health exams. The visit - at the GRACE gorilla rescue center in 2013. GRACE gorillas. The ing teams also helped “freedom fence” project is funded launch a behavioral monitoring pro - largely by Fossey Fund donors and gram at GRACE to collect data meant will give the gorillas daily access to to evaluate each gorilla’s rehabilita - 24 acres of their natural forest habi - tion progress and assess their candi - tat, allowing them to practice sur - dacy for potential reintroduction. vival-critical behaviors, such as tree Currently, GRACE is in the process climbing, nest building, and foraging of becoming an independent non - for wild foods. Construction has been profit organization. In 2013, GRACE a massive undertaking. The work took important steps toward this goal occurred on a mountainside with no by applying for non-profit status in access roads, and every supply and the U.S., forming a board of directors piece of equipment needed had to be and technical advisory committees, carried up the mountain by hand. Isangi and 12 other young orphaned gorillas at and hiring a U.S.-based executive This forest enclosure is now nearly GRACE will soon be able to practice critical wild director. complete and was scheduled to open survival skills in a large area of the forest. More at www.gracegorillas.org

There are many ways to help save gorillas through the Fossey Fund’s programs. You can 1) become a member, 2) join our Adopt-a-gorilla program, 3) make a donation, 4) include the Fossey Fund in your will, 5) hold a special event, 6) become a sponsor, 7) shop our e-store, and more! For ideas, please visit our website: gorillafund.org/takeaction THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL 7

Our work in Science, =;<> Decades of data, recent studies, help illuminate gorilla life and more Dr. Dian Fossey began the tradition of collecting data on tion in the Mountain Gorilla Skeletal Project, based at Karisoke mountain gorillas when she established the Karisoke Research and led by Fossey Fund collaborator Shannon McFarlin, Ph.D., Center in 1967, setting the stage for decades of scientific analysis. of the George Washington University, in conjunction with the In more recent years, this research has expanded dramatically, Rwanda Development Board and Gorilla Doctors. both in scope and in volume. From 2010-2013, Fossey Fund sci - ence staff and partners had 16 papers on gorilla studies pub - Science highlights in 2013 lished in scientific journals, with another five submitted for pub - Mountain gorillas have been closely studied for more than lication. Studies in related subjects were also published, including 45 years and, based on Dian Fossey’s pioneering methods, the first update on the small mammal many are now habituated to human population of the Volcanoes National presence. As a result, we are able Park in more than 80 years. to follow known individual gorillas Although the Fossey Fund is best on a daily basis, recording their known for its work with mountain behavior in extreme detail. This has gorillas, our scientific efforts regard - led to the creation of a scientific ing gorillas include both mountain database that is now one of the gorillas and Grauer's (eastern low - largest of its type and thus of enor - land) gorillas. In addition, we also mous value to scientists who want now study other animals that live in to study various aspects of gorilla the forests with gorillas, and the sur - behavior and ecology. rounding flora and other elements In 2013, the Fossey Fund’s long- of their overall ecosystem, as well term data collection on mountain as aspects of human health in the gorillas was carried out by 11 data nearby communities. technicians, including two field The Fossey Fund’s scientific coordinators and four research efforts are led by Vice President and assistants. Approximately 5,000 Chief Scientific Officer Tara Stoinski, hours of behavioral data were col - Ph.D., who will become president lected in 2013. and CEO in October 2014. Research Some of the scientific studies associates include Damien Caillaud, about mountain gorillas that DVM, Ph.D., and Winnie Eckardt, Ph.D. Karisoke Director rely on this data and are currently in progress include: mortal - Felix Ndagijimana started a doctoral program at the University ity patterns, intergroup encounter rates, vegetation distribu - of Montpellier and will be conducting a long-term analysis of tion within Volcanoes National Park, male partner preferences, gorilla population genetics, inbreeding and mate choice for his female reproductive hormone patterns, maternal and paternal dissertation. Our biodiversity studies are led by Deogratias investment, paternity analysis, personality, and hormone and Tuyisingize; many other staff, including five research assistants parasite studies that may point to the relationship between and Gorilla Program Manager Veronica Vecellio also are stress and health among the gorillas. involved in our research program. For example, a study analyzing gorilla ranging patterns The Fossey Fund’s scientific studies are supported by a from 2000 to 2011 (published in early 2014 in The American number of significant grants from foundations, individuals, Journal of Primatology ), focused on the movements of 11 zoos, and governmental organizations. In addition, these proj - gorilla groups — roughly one-fourth of the Virunga popula - ects are undertaken with a wide variety of partners from uni - tion — over the course of 12 years. Despite a roughly 50 per- versities, research institutions and other organizations from cent increase in the population during this time, our research - around the world. One example is a new project begun by Jordi ers found no major changes in ranging patterns compared to Galbany, Ph.D., of George Washington University, to study how studies from the early 1980s. Additionally, this study found gorillas grow and what factors influence growth patterns, using only a weak influence of group size on home range size — a relatively new technique called photogrammetry, which meaning large groups do not have significantly larger home allows remote measurement of physical characteristics of wild ranges than small groups. This is good news because it indi - animals, using a camera, distance meter and calibrated laser cates that despite the dramatic population growth, competition pointers. This study developed out of our long-term collabora - Continued on page 8 8 THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL

Continued from page 7 sumably serve as a “ladder” for her offspring, helping him between the groups has not increased much. Researchers climb up a pile of vegetation to reach her. The paper’s authors attribute this to the fact that as the population increases in size, include Cyril Grueter, Ph.D., former scientist at the Fossey groups avoid feeding competition by shifting their home range Fund’s Karisoke Research Center; Felix Ndagijimana; Tara toward areas where gorilla densities are low. But there were also Stoinski, Ph.D.; and Martha Robbins, Ph.D., of the Max Planck some findings that may be cause for concern. The larger num - Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. ber of groups in the area has resulted in a considerable increase Other studies in progress are covering such topics as changes in intergroup encounters, which are stressful events that can in vegetation patterns, golden monkey behavior, bamboo phe - lead to injury and death. nology, rainfall data, human health, and water quality analyses. Dr. Winnie Eckardt embarked on fieldwork for a study Six students from the National University of Rwanda’s biol - about stress and health in mountain gorillas in 2011. Over the ogy department were supported by the Fossey Fund to do course of 18 months at the Karisoke Research Center, Eckardt their thesis projects in the academic year 2012-2013. Their collected behavioral data and fecal samples for hormone and studies included investigations on such topics as the impact parasite analysis from 110 mountain gorillas. of stress events on the nesting behavior and mother-infant This study is expected to yield information about the rela - behavior in golden monkeys. Six new Fossey Fund-sponsored tionship between stress physiology and health in mountain students who will complete their final projects in 2013-2014 gorillas and to offer insights to guide conservation and park did their field data collection between July and September management strategies. 2013. These studies are investigating the ecology of bamboo Eckardt is currently focused on analyzing more than 10,000 in gorilla group home ranges, the impact of human activities fecal samples to determine stress levels associated with various (such as agriculture) around the park on plants and soils, environmental and anthropogenic events and identifying para - and drinking water quality in and around Bisate, among site prevalence and its relationship to various stressful events. other topics. Ultimately, Eckardt would like to determine if individuals Overall, the scientific studies underway by Fossey Fund staff who experience higher levels of stress have increased parasite and partner scientists are continuing to increase in number loads, suggesting that stress is acting to suppress their immune and significance, leading to greater understanding of gorilla life response. and their critical rainforest ecosystems, and even providing When the study is complete, it will be the most compre - insight into broader questions about basic gorilla behavior and hensive study of gorilla behavior, hormones, and parasites to human evolution. For example, another study published in date and could help map a holistic approach to measuring 2013 relied on the Fossey Fund’s long-term database and long- stress and health and help conservationists understand what term databases of other primates, to look at reproductive aging events or environmental conditions are particularly stressful patterns as compared to those in humans. The study found for gorillas. that among eight species of primates—humans and seven non- In another interesting paper, published in the journal human species—only humans experienced reproductive cessa - Behavioural Processes , Fossey Fund scientists described the use tion. This paper was published in the very prestigious Proceed - of a bamboo stem by an adult female mountain gorilla to pre - ings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Financial Summary: Fiscal year October 2012–September 2013 Support & Revenue Expenses Contributions, Merchandise & Interest: $3,935,478 Program Services: $3,337,324 In-Kind Revenues: $605,497 Administration & Fundraising : $644,235 Total: $4,540,975 Total: $3,981,559

Thank you to our Collaborating Funders for their extraordinary support of our programs in 2013 The Milton and Anonymous Tamar Maltz Foundation Family Foundation