|
The Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Sanctuary was initiated in the year 2001 when a family of gorillas was transferred from the Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF) onto the island of Evengué-Ezango, located just north of Loango National Park in Gabon. An island all to themselves?
Though the initial goal was for these gorillas to access the entire island where they could roam free, it soon became apparent that their life histories, as well as the level of adjustement required from life-long captivity into a larger natural area, did not allow for a full release onto the island.
Thus, these gorillas were transferred into a forested enclosure, hence how the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Sanctuary took form. Reintroduction of these gorillas is not possible since they have lost their critical survival skills (usually acquired from birth to around 8 years of age until they migrate out of the group) and have become completely habituated and dependant on humans for their survival.
Gorillas as ambassadors
As victims of the bush meat crisis, the Sanctuary gorillas play a very important and special role as conservation ambassadors. Through education and responsible gorilla-conscious tourism, the FVGP hopes to contribute to raising global awareness on the on-going bush meat crisis that is leading to the disappearance of all Great Ape species in the wild.
|
 Silverback gorilla Mabeke (lives in the Fernan-Vaz Sanctuary)
 Essogoué
|