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2016 Annual Report Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Gorillafund.Org Karisoke Research Center, Founded by Dian Fossey in 1967 WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE ARE Saving Gorillas: Every. Single. Day. 2016 Annual Report DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL gorillafund.org Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey in 1967 The Karisoke Research Center was founded by Dr. Dian Fossey in 1967, as she began her groundbreaking work studying the mountain gorillas of the Virunga mountains. She set up two small tents between Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Bisoke, and created the name “Karisoke.” Fossey soon realized that the mountain gorillas’ survival was in extreme danger, with fewer than 250 of them left at the time. She then founded the “Digit Fund” to raise funds for their protection. Even though she was murdered in 1985, her work has not only continued but greatly expanded since then, carried out today by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. The Karisoke Research Center today is a world-renowned center for gorilla protection and research, with its 75 award-winning gorilla trackers protecting the gorillas every day, anti-poaching teams patrolling the forest, and scientists undertaking numerous studies that help us learn more about the gorillas and the best conservation methods. Karisoke is now also a leading center of education, providing high-level field courses and research opportunities for hundreds of local science students, helping to train the next generation of conservation leaders. 2 | Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International | 2016 Annual Report Karisoke Today Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International | 2016 Annual Report | 3 Thank you from the CEO and the Chair of the Board Fifty years of working together Saving Gorillas When Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke Research Center in 1967, her main goal was to begin a long-term study of mountain gorillas. But she soon came to see how many threats they faced, and that they were in imminent danger of extinction. Thus began what is now 50 years of gorilla protection, successfully bringing this population back to stability. We are proud to carry on and continue expanding Dian’s mission and vision. We still face many challenges, but unlike Fossey, we don’t work alone. We have teams of people protecting gorillas every day, as well communities, local authorities, scientists, and our many generous supporters and partners all working together toward saving gorillas. Our model of conservation – combining daily protection, cutting-edge science, We feel privileged to carry on this important work, and gratefully honor all of those educating local conservationists, and empowering communities – is proven to who have dedicated their lives to this mission over the past 50 years, as well as the work and we are now using it to help save the critically endangered Grauer’s generous supporters like you who have made all this possible. gorillas in nearby Congo, in an area that has received almost no protection You are among more than 10,500 supporters who make our work a reality. Thank or study. We are pleased to report that, thanks to supporters like you and our you so much for being part of the gorilla team, and for enabling us to look forward, amazing staff, 2016 was a record year for us, with significant successes in all of our with great hope, to a future where gorillas are safe and thriving. programs. Some of the highlights include: No gorillas caught in snares – for only the second time in a decade Sincerely, An amazing 12 births in the gorilla groups we monitor Opening a gorilla conservation exhibit for the public at Karisoke Dwight Scott Reaching a record 13,500 people in our community education programs Tara Stoinski, Ph.D. Chair of the Board of Trustees President and CEO/Chief Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Doubling our staff in Congo to help address the Grauer’s gorilla crisis Scientific Officer Director, San Diego Zoo 4 | Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International | 2016 Annual Report Mission and Strategic Priorities OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Our integrated model of conservation includes these four pillars: The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has an 1 Daily Protection integrated conservation model for saving the gorillas To ensure that gorilla populations are stable, through daily intensive that we know works, as shown by the increase in presence in the forest every day. the mountain gorilla population in Rwanda over the 2 Scientific Research years since our intensive protection efforts began. We To have the best information available for use in preserving the gorillas now also use the same model in nearby Democratic and their ecosystems. Republic of Congo to protect Grauer’s gorillas, which 3 are among the world’s most-endangered apes. Educating Conservationists To equip the next generation of African scientists with the skills they need to address the conservation challenges of the future. 4 Helping Communities To create the basic conditions necessary to support effective conservation activities where they are most needed. Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International | 2016 Annual Report | 5 DAILY PROTECTION | SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH | EDUCATING CONSERVATIONISTS | HELPING COMMUNITIES OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES In Rwanda: Daily Protection No gorillas were caught in snares due GOAL To ensure that gorilla populations are stable. Our long-term data shows to intensive protection 1 that their increase is a direct result of intensive protection. efforts in 2016. In Rwanda, we provide daily protection for about half of the mountain gorillas in 0 Volcanoes National Park. Mountain gorillas are the only great ape whose population is increasing, and we have shown with our long-term research data that this type of intensive tracking and anti-poaching is responsible for the increase. In 2016 this included daily protection and anti-poaching patrols for approximately 117 mountain gorillas, currently living in 9-11 groups. In Congo, our teams work differently because the Grauer’s gorillas are not habituated to the presence of humans. Many illegal armed groups operate in the region, making field conditions incredibly dangerous for both humans and gorillas. So, our trackers follow the gorillas at one day’s distance, and also use remote cameras, to collect information without disturbing them. Accomplishments in 2016 Conducted new surveys to the east and north of our Congo research station to identify more gorilla groups that need protection. Karisoke staff played a major role in the latest count of mountain gorillas In Congo: 2x Our Karisoke trackers received the throughout the Virungas, We have doubled our tracking Conservation Hero award from the Disney with results due in 2017. staff and wildlife is returning to Conservation Fund, for their 50 years of the areas we protect. successfully protecting gorillas. Installed camera traps in Congo forests, capturing18 photos of gorillas, leopard, owl-faced monkeys, bushpigs, and other mammals, including this family of gorillas. 6 | Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International | 2016 Annual Report DAILY PROTECTION | SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH | EDUCATING CONSERVATIONISTS | HELPING COMMUNITIES Accomplishments in 2016 OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Scientific Research Produced data and analysis to help with the reclassification of Congo’s Grauer’s GOAL To have the best information available for use gorillas to “critically endangered.” 2 in preserving the gorillas and their ecosystems. As the world’s longest-running gorilla research site, we use cutting-edge science to understand gorillas and their habitats, and to develop effective conservation strategies. 117 individual mountain gorillas observed daily, helping us create the most complete family trees of these animals. Worked with researchers from universities around the world to study important aspects of gorilla life, ecology, health, genetics and more. Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International | 2016 Annual Report | 7 DAILY PROTECTION | SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH | EDUCATING CONSERVATIONISTS | HELPING COMMUNITIES Accomplishments in 2016 Supported 42 of our staff to pursue 42 undergraduate and graduate education, including two master’s degree students and one doctoral student. Karisoke In Congo: Hosted 396 Rwandan Fossey Fund staff taught students for field courses classes at two universities in and to complete their ecology, natural resources undergraduate studies, management, sustainable our largest group yet. development, and environ- mental economy. Supported 10 senior thesis projects in OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Rwanda. More than 120 Rwandan college students Educating Conservationists have now completed thesis GOAL To equip the next generation of African scientists with the skills they need work at Karisoke and 90 3 to address the conservation challenges of the future. percent have gone on to careers in conservation The Fossey Fund is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of our staff, as well as university and science. students and aspiring scientists in Rwanda and Congo. By creating educational opportunities for the next generation of scientists and conservationists, we are actively contributing to building the conservation culture in the countries where we work. 8 | Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International | 2016 Annual Report DAILY PROTECTION | SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH | EDUCATING CONSERVATIONISTS | HELPING COMMUNITIES OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Helping Communities GOAL To create the basic conditions necessary to support effective 4 conservation activities where they are most needed. Conservation cannot be done in isolation, so we work closely with local communities in Rwanda and Congo to address critical needs, especially those that may affect nearby gorilla habitat, like clean water and health
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