Aspinal-Foundation-gorillaOn the 13 April 2004, a newborn gorilla was seen in the Lefini Reserve, Republic of Congo, Central Africa for the first time in over 50 years, possibly in over a century. His mother (Djembo) was a 16-year-old orphan of the illegal bush-meat trade. She was reintroduced to the Lefini Reserve in January 2003, along with two other females and two males, one of whom (Makoua) is the father of the newborn baby.

This group of five adult western gorillas was the first to be released in a long-term programme to reintroduce the species to the Lefini Reserve, an area of rolling savannah and gallery forests 150 km north of the capital Brazzaville.

Téké’s birth is significant as he is the first mother-raised gorilla born to the reintroduced gorillas. Téké is growing more confident everyday, leaving his mother’s side in search of food or play. Téké has already learnt many of the skills necessary for living in the jungle – a proper wild gorilla. His social skills are advancing, he even had the nerve to cough at Makoua, gorilla talk for keep away despite the 50-fold difference in their body weight.

For the time being Makoua is being very gentle and understanding towards his son, but in another year or two he will discipline him with a sharp slap or gentle bite should Téké repeat such insolence. Until then, Téké remains the jealously protected jewel of this group. He is the great hope for the future of the project as he will lead the next generation of wild born gorillas in their journey in the Lefini Reserve.

Minimum donation- £6 per month

There are three Adopter packages that can be chosen either Defender (£6 per month) or Protector (£12 per month) or Guardian (£41 per month)

Your regular donation will

  • Help us monitor the bush-meat trade in local market towns. This reduces the trade in orphan gorillas and the illegal bush-meat trade
  • Help us buy fruit and vegetables from local markets for the gorilla orphans still learning how to survive in the wild. This also benefits local villages.
  • Help pay for a park ranger’s salary for The Aspinall Foundation Gorilla Protection projects in Congo and Gabon.
  • Help us publicise the plight of the gorilla and raise awareness of the bush-meat trade with local communities around the protected areas, and on a national level through the media.

In return

All adopters will receive – PC wallpaper, fact Sheet, twice yearly email updates on Teke, certificate, monthly e-newsletters on the work of The Aspinall Foundation

  • Defender will receive (£6 per month) – Free annual pass for entry to Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, Kent
  • Protector will receive (£12 per month) – 2 Free annual passes for entry to Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, Kent
  • Guardian will receive (£41 per month) – 2 Free annual passes for entry to Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, Kent AND the chance to be a keeper for the day (must be over 18 years of age)

Please note that for administrative reasons adopters will receive benefits over a period of time