The UN Year of the Gorilla boosts conservation of the world’s most endangered great apes.

Bonn, 11 March 2010 – The plight of gorillas was brought to millions through hundreds of Year of the Gorilla articles, interviews, lectures, conferences and films last year – more than through any similar global species campaign. In addition, the UN Year of the Gorilla 2009 generated € 100,000 for field projects to prevent critically endangered gorilla species from going extinct.

The educational and awareness raising campaign was led by the UNEP Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS). Member states to the Convention, members of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP), conservation bodies, individuals at grass root level and online donations helped to raise funds.