PASA Is Helping Secure a Future For the Endangered Gorilla
One of the most exciting things I learned while researching Growing up Gorilla is the groundbreaking work that the Pan Africa Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) is doing to protect gorillas in the wild - rescuing gorillas in need, caring for those that are injured and orphaned, and eventually re-releasing them back to their forest homes whenever possible.
PASA is the largest association of primate sanctuaries and wildlife centers across Africa caring for over 3,000 animals, from small monkeys to big chimpanzees and gorillas. Even though the organization serves Africa, it is based in Portland, Oregon. I asked PASA’s Executive Director, Dr. Gregg Tully, a few questions which he graciously answered, including more about how the organization got started.
Gregg: PASA was started in 2000 by African primate sanctuaries, because they saw a need to share information and coordinate their efforts. An increasing number of primate rescue and rehabilitation centers in Africa were protecting thousands of chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and other endangered primates. Many leaders of these wildlife protection organizations were facing similar challenges and could benefit by learning from each other, but largely did not communicate. Conservationists and primatologists arranged a meeting in Uganda to bring them together for the first time. The directors of the organizations agreed there was a need for improved ongoing communication, and as a result the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) was formed. Although PASA's headquarters is now in Portland, Oregon and it is a registered nonprofit in the U.S., it was created by the African wildlife centers.
Clare: Can you tell me a little more about what these sanctuary programs are doing and how many animals have been successfully released back to the wild so far? How long have they been engaged in this groundbreaking work?
Gregg: You may know that there are two PPG projects (Project Protection of Gorillas) – one in Gabon and one in Congo. They have reintroduced more than 70 gorillas to the wild. Some of the gorillas they release are rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Gabon and Congo, and some are sent from zoos in the UK so they can live in the wild. More information is at https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/the-aspinall-foundation/working-around-the-world/congo-and-gabon/.
The Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project rescues gorillas from laboratory research and wildlife trafficking. (They haven’t reintroduced gorillas.) They currently take care of 13 rescued gorillas, some of which have special needs due to the trauma they endured and aren’t suitable to live in the wild. Their strategic plan includes community development and education programs to extend their impact to protect gorillas in the wild and their habitat.
PASA’s unique collaboration of 23 member organizations in 13 countries is building a global movement to save Africa’s great apes and monkeys. Through its worldwide network and member organizations’ local expertise, this powerful Alliance is positioned to make a significant and sustained impact in securing a future for Africa’s primates and their habitat. For more information, please visit pasa.org or facebook.com/pasaprimates.
Photo Caption: 3 gorillas that were recently released back into the wild by PASA member Projet Protection des Gorilles