World Gorilla Day Event Details
Sunday, September 20
10:00 a.m. | Great Ape Gallery
Join us at the Zoo at the Great Ape Gallery as we celebrate World Gorilla Day! Western Lowland Gorillas are native to central Africa, though our gorillas were all born and raised in other American zoos. See our gorillas enjoy special enrichment, and learn how you can help protect gorillas in the wild.
This event is included with general admission and is free for members.
Recycle Your Handheld Electronics
Answer the Call from the Wild: Recycle and Save Gorillas
Bring your retired handheld electronics, such as phones and tablets, to the Great Ape Gallery during World Gorilla Day. A collection box will be available near the gorilla viewing window.
Recycling handheld electronics helps reduce demand for metals mined in gorilla habitat. Recycle your retired devices and help save gorillas in the wild.
How Houston Zoo Helps Save Gorillas
- Houston Zoo guests, staff, and volunteers have recycled more than 20,000 handheld electronic devices together, reducing the need to mine for minerals in gorilla habitat.
- The Zoo provides veterinary and education training, equipment, and support for our African gorilla conservation partners (see below).
- The Zoo supports African gorilla conservation veterinarians from Gorilla Doctors to perform routine health checks and medical interventions on gorillas in the wild. They remove snares and/or providing medications to improve the health of the wild gorilla groups.
Our Global Partners
Conservation Heritage-Turambe
Gorilla Doctors
Okapi Conservation Project
Protect Gorilla Habitat by Recycling Your Handheld Electronics
Cell phones and other handheld electronic devices contain minerals that are mined in Central Africa, including in the forests where gorillas live. Mining damages these habitats, where gorillas and other wildlife live while also affecting the communities that depend on these ecosystems. By recycling your retired handheld electronics, you can help reduce demand for newly mined minerals and protect gorillas in the wild.
The Zoo can accept the following devices:
- Cell phones
- iPads/Tablets
- iPods/mp3 players
- GPS/AirTags
- Smartwatches
- AirPods/Earbuds
- Wireless headphones
- Small gaming devices
- Digital cameras
- Portable speakers
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NO Laptops, NO Appliances (printers, toasters, etc.). NO Alkaline batteries (AA, 9V, etc.)
