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An extraordinary project is underway to introduce a group of young, orphaned gorillas in the jungles and savannahs of Gabon. Organised by The John Aspinall Foundation in conjunction with Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent, this groundbreaking initiative is the brainchild of Damian Aspinall, son of the wildlife pioneer John Aspinall. Together with his wife Donna Air, Damian and the staff of Howletts Wild Animal Park set about the long and risky process of repatriating some of the world’s most endangered animals to the wilds of this tiny West African country.
 Wild gorillas remain one of the world’s most endangered animals and will remain high on the list of species facing extinction, unless significant steps are taken to protect their habitat, and existing wild populations. At the mercy of poachers who hunt the great apes for ‘bushmeat’ or trophies, the gorillas face a bleak and uncertain future. This programme charts the outstanding project undertaken by Damian Aspinall and the staff of Howletts Wild Animal Park, to protect the species.
In 1958 John Aspinall set up his unique Wild Animal Park with the vision of saving and nurturing endangered species from around the world. His approach to animal welfare, husbandry and breeding flew in the face of contemporary practice that still considered captive animals as little more than a source of entertainment for paying visitors. "His philosophy was to start a wildlife park where the animals come first, to bring them up in the correct way. In other words, if gorillas live in family groups in the wild then start family groups here in Kent, which at the time no one did. It was all pioneering work," says Damian.
 Ploughing his entire fortune into the park, Aspinall began what is today one of the leading centres for conservation and rehabilitation of threatened species such as the Lowland gorilla, Indian tiger and African elephant. He was among the first in the field to embrace animal husbandry – befriending animals as one would a human friend – and his long-term vision was to breed sufficient numbers of these species to be in a position to establish wild communities. They were the first British breeders to have successfully bred African elephants in captivity.
Damian Aspinall shares his father’s philosophy towards animal care and sees the future of their work in establishing new gorilla communities in the jungles of Africa. Returning captive gorillas to the jungle is extremely risky for the orphans chosen to undertake the journey, but for Damian and the staff involved the potential benefits of creating a successful community of this most threatened of the great apes far outweighs the risks.
"There are risks – great risks. But when you think that 50 years ago, when people started pulling animals out and murdering and butchering these poor animals' families; bringing their offspring back to this country, 90% of these gorillas died. What we’re doing is just sending them home. You don’t achieve anything in life without taking risk... the bigger the risk the bigger the reward. Simple as that."
After years of planning, including a gruelling but thrilling recce to the area earmarked for resettlement, the staff and family prepare for the emotional task of saying goodbye to their young gorillas and wishing them well for their big adventure.
Join the seven young gorillas and their faithful staff as they embark on the journey of a lifetime and a project which, if successful, could pave the way for many more gorilla communities being re-established in the jungles of Africa.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 04 May 2007 )
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