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The Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project sanctuary was initiated in 2001 and currently consists of 3 western lowland gorillas, all victims of the bush meat trade. The main objectives are to promote the well-being and safety of these gorillas, as well as to promote the global awareness of great-ape conservation through responsible tourism.
Mabéké Estimated DOB: 1979 Gender: Male Origin: Minkébé
Mabéké’s biography
In 1980, Mabéké was orphaned by the bush meat trade, destined to the illegal live animal trade, and purchased by an expatriate family in the city of Port-Gentil. Within a year, he was transferred to the “Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF)”, where he lived for 20 years. In 2001, he was relocated to the island of Evengue-Ezango in Gabon’s Ogouée-Maritime province, outside Loango National Park. He now lives in a naturally forested enclosure with Owendja and Essogoué where he also acts as an ambassador for great-ape conservation.
Owendja Estimated DOB: November 2001 Gender: Male Origin: Mpivié River
Owendja was confiscated by the local wildlife authorities in 2003 and subsequently transferred to the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project’s sanctuary. Like all the other orphans at the FVGP, he has lost his family, his habitat and freedom forever. He has now regained some of his dignity within the sanctuary where he lives with his gorilla companions and among his human caretakers. He loves running around with Essogoué in puddles of mud, climbing in trees, and splurging into aframomoum fruit.
Essogoué
Estimated DOB: July 2003 Gender: Male Origin: Village of Essogoué
Essogoué’s biography
In September 2003, at the age of around 5 months, Essogoué was handed-over to the project by two boys from a local village called “Essogoué”. He was then socially integrated with Owendja prior to joining Mabéké in a naturally forested enclosure. Despite his young age, Essogoué will never be reintroduced since he has lost some critical survival skills and has gained dependence on us, humans. Moreover, he has been influenced by Mabéké, a gorilla whose behaviour reflects a lifetime of captivity (see above). Essogoué loves aframomoum fruit and building tree nests for his afternoon siestas |
 Mabeke
 Owendja
 Essogoué
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