Home / Environment / Gorilla Haven: A Birthday Gift That Saves Lives
Gorilla Haven: A Birthday Gift That Saves Lives
25 Oct
Summary
- A research center in Rwanda was gifted to Ellen DeGeneres.
- The campus focuses on education and protecting endangered gorillas.
- Over 40,000 visitors have already experienced the campus.
Portia de Rossi’s birthday gift to Ellen DeGeneres has blossomed into the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda. This initiative, born from a 2018 television surprise, established a permanent home for gorilla conservation efforts. The campus officially opened in February 2022, featuring modern laboratories and educational facilities on a 12-acre site. By September 2023, it had already welcomed over 40,000 visitors.
The project emphasizes sustainability and community involvement. Construction prioritized environmentally friendly methods, with over 250,000 native plants introduced to restore habitat. A significant focus is on education, with free conservation programs and science workshops hosted for more than 7,500 Rwandan schoolchildren by September 2023. Research internships are also offered to local university students.
The journey from a personal gift to a thriving campus was documented in the television special 'Saving the Gorillas: Ellen's Next Adventure.' This initiative highlights a rare positive trend, with mountain gorilla populations currently increasing. The Ellen DeGeneres Campus continues to expand its community programs, solidifying its role in science, education, and the long-term protection of endangered mountain gorillas.
