For over twenty years, the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project (FVGP) NGO sanctuary, where rescued gorillas live on two islands in the heart of Gabon’s coastal forest, has been a place of hope. A sanctuary where orphaned gorillas can heal. Many of these orphaned gorillas arrived as infants, traumatized and alone after losing their families to hunting or deforestation. As a critically endangered species, the rescue and care of each individual gorilla is crucially important. Here, at the sanctuary, each orphan has found safety, dignity and a new gorilla family.

Then, the support that was sustaining this fragile world for over two decades came to a sudden end. No more food deliveries, no more veterinary visits, no more certainty about tomorrow. Yet, the gorillas remain...

We are a coalition of allies who have quickly come together to protect these gorillas in their greatest time of need. Former keepers, veterinarians, managers, local staff, and long-time contributors from different places around the world— united by years of work and affection for these gorillas who depend on us.

Crisis response

Now in crisis, the FVGP NGO is set to dissolve, and we have reached out to the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) for emergency assistance. PASA has stepped in to help organize a crisis response.

The two remaining gorillas on Evengué Island will be going to another PASA-accredited sanctuary in Gabon within the next six months. Meanwhile, we are exploring new options for the long-term care of the eight gorillas on Oriquet Island.

Our immediate goal is to secure funds to simply ensure the gorillas’ continued wellbeing and welfare in the coming weeks to months.

Their Names, Their Stories

Ten gorillas are currently under our care. Eight foraging freely on a small island in the lagoon, learning to survive as a cohesive group with minimal supplemental care:

• Cesse, the silverback, strong and calm, leads his group with quiet confidence.

• Eliwa, 18 years old, loves to test everyone’s patience with her endless play-fights.

• Ivindo, 19, the darkest and most peaceful, keeps harmony when tempers rise.

• Etimbouee, born right here ten years ago, reminds us that new life is possible.

• Etsina, 11, likes to splash her hands in the water, delighted by the ripples.

• Belinga, 14, is fearless and curious — she often wades deep into the lagoon, exploring the edge between safety and danger.

• Wanga, 17, shy and thoughtful, prefers the quiet shade of the trees.

• Sindila, steady and patient, always watches before joining the others.

Across the Fernan-Vaz lagoon, two other gorillas remain at the sanctuary and require daily medical attention:

•Tani, who came many years ago from a research center, needs daily care and close monitoring.

• Essoguet, rescued as an infant by villagers who named him, is

growing stronger but still fully depends on us.

Each has a face we know by heart, a history we can tell by memory. They are not numbers; but rather lives that we have been privileged to witness throughout these years.

Keeping Hope Alive

Since the funding stopped, feeding and caring for the gorillas has become a week-to-week challenge. Every Monday begins with the same question: how will we manage the next one?

So far, we’ve managed thanks to the kindness of people around us. The local communities have helped us by delaying the payment of bills when things became impossible (yet community members really need their weekly income). Former guests who once visited the sanctuary have also donated small contributions. This help has given us a bit of time, but not nearly enough.

The truth is simple: without renewed support, we will soon run out of the food, fuel, and medical supplies needed to ensure the proper care of these gorillas.

Your contribution — whatever the form or size — goes directly to keeping them fed, cared for, and safe. Each dollar helps us protect these orphaned gorillas with the security they deserve during the sanctuary’s closure. With your support, we will sustain high quality care of the gorillas while implementing the long-term solution for the lifelong care and stability of these precious animals