Not content with a couple of neurotic black and white moggies, Clare recently decided to ‘adopt’ a young male gorilla. Having attended a very moving talk at Bristol Zoo by Rachel Hogan about her work with the apes in Africa, Clare decided this was a conservation project that she really wanted to support.

Shufai is one of many young gorillas with tragic backgrounds lovingly nursed back to full health by the wonderful team of volunteers at Ape Conservation Africa. He has a particularly heartbreaking story (read Shufai’s story here) and Clare decided she wanted to donate money every year to help Shufai and his new friends recover and continue to grow strong, healthy and happy again. It’s a wonderful project, caring for our closest cousins, and desperately needs more donations.

Ape Conservation Africa’s front line conservation work includes rescuing orphaned gorillas, chimpanzees and monkeys (some only days old and hours from death), providing them with individual care, and giving them a safe forest sanctuary home where they can live with their own kind.

They work directly with local communities to ensure a greater understanding of primates and the importance of their long-term protection, and aim to address the immediate threats faced by gorillas and chimps in Africa.

Please visit their website here to read more about this wonderful project or if you feel inclined to make a donation.

News article last updated 17/05/10