2025 Free

Impact Report 2025

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund — the world's longest-running and largest gorilla conservation organisation — has helped grow the mountain gorilla population from under 300 to over 1,000 since 1967. Their 2025 Impact Report covers field operations across Rwanda and the DRC amid significant challenges, expansion of the Nkuba Conservation Area community forest, and a new Bwindi-Sarambwe gorilla census. The PBS/Netflix documentary featuring David Attenborough brought global attention to their work this year. Note: this is the US-registered entity; the UK equivalent is The Gorilla Organization (gorillas.org).

Report snapshot
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About

Daily gorilla monitoring and patrols, anti-poaching, snare removal, veterinary intervention, Karisoke Research Center, Girls in Conservation scholarships, community food/water/livelihoods programmes, Ellen DeGeneres Campus, scientific research and publication, Bwindi-Sarambwe census participation

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 Mountain gorilla population more than doubled since 1967 — from under 300 to over 1,000 individuals today
Key Metric 2 400+ staff, majority based in Rwanda and DRC; 30,000 people reached annually through community programmes in Rwanda
Key Metric 3 Nkuba Conservation Area in DRC expanded; 75% of total area now holding legal title from the Congolese government

Key Outcomes

  • Mountain gorillas reclassified from Critically Endangered to Endangered — only great ape besides humans currently increasing in population
  • Field teams maintained gorilla protection and conservation strategies across Rwanda and DRC despite significant operational challenges in 2024–25
  • Netflix documentary 'A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough' premiered April 2025, showcasing the Pablo family of mountain gorillas and Fossey Fund's conservation legacy

Geography

International

Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
61,819 native oysters deployed across UK restoration projects in 2024/25
Key Metric 2
15,064 people participated in the Beachwatch beach clean programme, submitting 1,256 litter surveys — the highest in the programme's 31-year history
Key Metric 3
17,613 young people engaged through in-person or online youth programme sessions
£11.5 billion Ofwat investment package secured for storm overflow cuts in England and Wales following sustained MCS advocacy
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
191,000 cats and kittens helped — 525 a day (2023: 184,000); 29,000 cats rehomed; 168,000 cats neutered including 13,000 feral cats; 93,000 cats microchipped
Key Metric 2
£96.9 million total income (2023: £89.3 million); £108.5 million net assets; £50.1 million legacy income; 9,800 volunteers (2023: 9,200)
Key Metric 3
430 cat owners helped to flee domestic abuse with 750 cats given temporary foster homes (Lifeline) — up from 229 in 2023; 5.9 million...
Mandatory microchipping for cats in England came into force June 2024 — direct result of years of Cats Protection campaigning; Pet Abduction Act came into force August 2024 making cat theft a specific criminal offence; Cat Manifesto sent to every election candidate with 111 newly elected MPs having responded
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
32,000 people participated in learning activities; 65,000 volunteer hours contributed; 250,000 biodiversity-boosting plants and bulbs planted; 24,000 snowdrops planted by Royal Parks Half Marathon...
Key Metric 2
94% of public rated their visit as good or excellent; 5 consecutive years all 8 parks awarded Green Flag; 160,000+ members making 300,000+ visits;...
Key Metric 3
1,000 free plants donated to local charities, community groups and schools; 200 old noticeboards and maps replaced; 12,500 enquiries handled by visitor support team;...
Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Garden at Regent's Park received planning permission and is progressing — opening Spring 2026; Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground renewal received planning permission — opening Spring 2026; Greenwich Park flagship restoration project completed — new meadows, shrubs, community facilities
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
2,876 ha of land under direct influence for nature, with 7 species recovery projects at or near implementation
Key Metric 2
17,935 wilder community engagements in 2024–25 (67,935 cumulative since 2020); 55 wilder initiatives established in schools and public spaces
Key Metric 3
Over 25,000 individuals engaged through skills training, community rewilding events and nature-based programmes
7 species recovery projects delivered including beavers returning to Derbyshire for the first time in 800 years, Atlantic salmon restoration on the River Ecclesbourne, and white-clawed crayfish ark sites