Ian Redmond, Year of the Gorilla Ambassador: Gorillas, the Gardeners of the Forest at Work

“Seeds inside an old gorilla dropping from about a month ago have germinated. It is an example of how gorillas are the gardeners of the forest and how, as they feed on the seeds of plants, thy travel leaving these seeds and droppings miles away from the grown plant. This shows the important they play in the ecology of the forest.

Ian Redmond, Lopé National Park, Gabon: Plant growing from elephant dung demonstrates key role of large mammals in seed dispersal for many plant species

“We see the germinal of a liana and its shell. The liana that that was eaten by the elephant can be found in this forest. The forests of tomorrow will be planted by the elephants and gorillas of today.”

DRC Minister of Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism, José Endundo Bononge – Interview (in French) especially 7:17 - 8:49

“The Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa’s first country in terms of biodiversity. We have a strong focus on climate change. Forests are directly linked to climate change. There are no forests without gorillas, and there is no survival of this species without forests. The future of humankind is linked to the forests, water, and these great apes. Therefore, the question of climate change, forests and water are interlinked. We have the historic obligation today to defend something which will be a priority for humankind.”

David Greer WWF International, Species Programme, Coordinator of African Great Apes Programme. Especially 1.34 - 2.22:

“Gorillas are an important factor in the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference as they help to protect carbon storage resources. Gorillas and elephants as key species ensure the continuation of the forests, which are integral to combat climate change.”

Dr. Melanie Stiassny of AMNH on how gorillas, forests, rivers, fish and oceans connect:

Central African forests where the gorillas live and the coasts and inshore marine life of Africa are interlinked in many ways. By protecting the gorillas, you protect the forests and by protecting the forest, the rivers and the fish will be protected.