Build a Bridge to Freedom
Thank you to everyone who has supported The Aspinall Foundation this year, whether through one of our events, runs, lottery support or from just making a donation – without you we just couldn’t make the reality of supporting and returning our animals back to where they belong, the wild.
With the end of the year now upon us, we are trying to find some extra support to make one of our projects complete this Christmas.
We need to build a bridge to give a young gorilla family a safe access point to cross back over to the mainland from their habituation island, to feed and develop in a larger area, and take those final steps to full freedom.
Just a small donation today will make the bridge happen. And its not just building the bridge, a donation today will also help fund new camera traps so we can keep a track on the family, and provide some extra supplementary feeding to support young Taali and her family as they begin their journey back to the wild.
Donate now
A Wild Love Story
On a tranquil island in the forests of Gabon, a gorilla love story has been slowly unfolding since 2019 and we need your support to write the next chapter.
In 2019, a nervous female gorilla born in a French zoo arrived at our project in Gabon. She was shy and slightly overwhelmed by her transition from captivity to an area of protected wilderness. Our expert team knew exactly how to help her adapt – a new friend who knew the forest!
We carefully introduced Mayombe to Djongo, a bold young silverback from the UK who was ready to start his own group. The pair hit it off instantly and it quickly became clear that Mayombe would soon become a first-time mum.
On 14th June 2021 our dedicated local team delighted us with the news that the pair had become parents, to a strong baby girl named Taali, meaning "Hope" in Bateke.
The first ever birth to captive-born gorillas in the wild
Mayombe has proven an excellent mother and Djongo is a wonderful, patient and protective father. Our monitoring teams have reported that the young family are thriving on their natural island and are ready to take their first steps into the wider forest, where they will forage, explore and enjoy access to the entire reserve.
We need your help to make this happen. To grant this young family access to the reserve, we need to build a bridge to freedom. Will you help Taali and her parents?
Mayombe
Shy Mayombe was born at ZooParc de Beauval in Saint-Aignan, France, and repatriated to Gabon in 2019 through a collaboration between The Aspinall Foundation and Beauval. She is an exceptionally attentive mother with a gentle and nurturing personality. She has come out of her shell since falling for Djongo and having her first daughter, but still prefers to let the silverback take the lead.
Djongo
Handsome Djongo was born at Port Lympne Reserve in Kent and repatriated to Gabon in 2013. He was quick to impress Maymombe with displays of strength and she fell head over heels for him within weeks. He is a protective father who has been passing on all of the forest skills he has learned in the past decade to his daughter, who will never know captivity thanks to the support of animal-lovers like you.
Taali
Cheeky little Taali is the typical toddler. She’s energetic, nosy and delights in causing chaos for her parents. She is an adept climber and is developing excellent foraging skills thanks to the patience and tutelage of her wonderful parents. Born in the forest, she is completely at ease in the wild and we cannot wait to see her grow up in the wilderness, where all gorillas belong.
Several of our young families are ready to take their first steps into the forest. Will you help them?
First Steps to Freedom
The Mpassa river cuts through the forests we protect, creating natural islands which are perfect gorilla sanctuaries. We utilise these pockets of habitat as the first step in our captive-born gorillas’ journey to the wild. We call this stage island habituation.
When gorillas first arrive on an island, our monitoring teams provide local fruits and vegetables from dedicated feeding stations. Over time, the gorillas adapt to their environment and come to realise that the forest provides far more food than the humans they have come to know. As their confidence grows, the gorillas begin to forage for themselves and show a preference for wild foods such as Aframomum, a member of the ginger family and a favourite of wild gorillas. When the team believe the gorillas are ready, supplemental feeding is reduced and the health of the gorillas is carefully monitored.
When the gorillas are consistently providing their own food and staying healthy and strong, we work with local teams to construct a bridge connecting the island to the mainland of the reserve. The gorillas are then free to use the bridge as they please, exploring the forest or retreating to their island sanctuary when they feel the need. Camera traps are used to discreetly monitor the gorillas’ movements and ensure they are stay safe and healthy. As with all animals living in the wild, there is an element of risk. However, our expert teams are confident that the family are ready to take this vital step in their journey.
In time, the gorillas will become truly at home in the forests and will no longer require access to the island. They will live wild and free in the lands of their ancestors, protected by your generosity and our incredible team.
The Aspinall Foundation Chairman
Damian Aspinall
It's too late to rewind, but together we can rewild.
The Aspinall Foundation has Rewilded More Than 75 Western Lowland Gorillas so far.
With your support, future young gorilla families can take their first steps into the wild.
