Unregulated and unsustainable hunting for bushmeat, slash-and-burn agriculture and illegal artisanal mining are running rampant over 80% of the eastern Congo Basin. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) holds more than 264 million acres of dense tropical rainforest—the largest amount in Africa and three times the size of Montana.

The Critically Endangered Grauer’s Gorilla, a subspecies of Eastern Gorilla, relies on these lush rainforests for survival. Found nowhere else on Earth, its population has sharply declined by over 75% in recent decades due to poaching and deforestation, with only an estimated 4,000 individuals surviving today. Urgent and targeted conservation action is the only hope for the survival of this magnificent species.

Rainforest Trust and our Partner, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, urgently seek $1,072,712 to conserve 325,000 acres for what may be one of the most important populations of Critically Endangered Grauer’s Gorillas that survives outside protected areas. Your generous support will help secure government designation of four new Community Forests that will establish local communities as the legal stewards of the forests with the authority to prevent land-grabbing for illegal settlements and the exploitation of resources.

Header photo:  Grauer’s Gorilla or Eastern Lowland Gorilla, by Frantisek Cekal

Stop Deforestation And Lock Up Vast Stores Of Carbon

Keeping habitat intact is essential to the long-term survival of many species living here—especially the large mammals—and to prevent the release of ancient carbon. These forests in eastern DRC sequester an estimated 74,248,633 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents that, if released, would equate to emissions from burning over 7 billion gallons of diesel.

Safeguard A Vast Congo Basin Landscape For Imperiled Species

Over 11,000 species of diverse flora and fauna shelter in primary rainforests here known as the Nkuba forests. Safeguarding the long-term viability of populations of Critically Endangered Grauer’s Gorillas and African Forest Elephants as well as Endangered Chimpanzees, Grey Parrots, Giant Ground Pangolins and White-bellied Pangolins is of the highest importance to global biodiversity conservation.

Help Communities Protect Their Forests And Livelihoods

Our partner is experienced in guiding communities through the process of establishing and managing Community Forests. They will train and equip local rangers to patrol the forests, providing jobs for local residents. Community members will also be supported in addressing food security and alternative livelihoods, which will enable them to become less reliant on forest resources and further reduce threats to forest biodiversity.

Learn more about this project