The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is the world's largest and longest-running organization fully dedicated to gorilla conservation. No one knows gorillas like we do. Every single day we protect gorilla families, study how they live, and teach future scientists and local communities to do the same. The struggles of wild gorillas seem thousands of miles away from our busy lives, but their fight for survival is really our own. Gorillas are a critical part of the ecosystem known as an “umbrella species.” When we protect them, we also protect the biodiversity in their habitat. The forest where gorillas live is the second-largest we have left -- quite literally the lungs of the planet, and one of our best natural defenses against climate change. Gorillas need it to survive, and so do we. onservation does not happen in isolation. We know from our 50+ year history at our Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda that conservation only happens when individuals join with organizations to protect and save vulnerable species so that we can all thrive together! That’s why our holistic model focuses on: Direct Daily Gorilla Protection Scientific Research Educating the Next Generation of Conservationists Helping Communities Become a gorilla game-changer today by visiting gorillafund.org to learn more about our critical work, and ways YOU can help keep the planet's last wild gorillas safe.