$100,000 in Funding for GRACE, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Gorilla Doctors Brings Disney’s Total Support for Gorilla Conservation to More Than $4.7 Million
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Sept. 21, 2026) – Ahead of World Gorilla Day and in celebration of Bakari, a new silverback gorilla at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Disney Conservation Fund is awarding $100,000 in new grants to three leading gorilla conservation organizations: the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Gorilla Doctors.
The funding will help advance gorilla conservation, scientific research, veterinary care and community-based protection efforts across Africa, supporting the long-term survival of gorilla populations and the forests they call home.
“Protecting gorillas takes collaboration among conservation organizations, researchers, veterinarians, educators and local communities,” said Claire Martin, Senior Manager, Biodiversity Conservation at The Walt Disney Company. “We’re proud to support organizations making a meaningful difference for gorillas in the wild while helping connect our guests to the incredible work being done to ensure a future for this species.”
The three organizations play a critical role in protecting gorillas in the wild through complementary approaches:
- GRACE partners with Congolese communities to rehabilitate, rewild and protect critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas and conserve critical forest habitats.
- The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund advances gorilla conservation in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo through decades of scientific research, field protection and community engagement.
- Gorilla Doctors delivers life-saving veterinary care to wild mountain and Grauer’s gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The grants build on the Disney Conservation Fund’s longstanding commitment to protecting gorillas and its history of supporting organizations that help safeguard gorilla populations and their habitats. By investing in efforts spanning rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, scientific research and community engagement, the fund helps advance collaborative conservation work that protects gorilla populations and the habitats they call home.
While the Disney Conservation Fund supports efforts to protect gorillas in the wild, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park helps bring those conservation stories to life by connecting guests with the animals and the experts dedicated to their care and protection.
“Our commitment to gorillas extends beyond the animals in our care at Walt Disney World,” said Dr. Scott Terrell, Vice President, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment. “For years, Disney experts have partnered with GRACE, sharing their expertise to support gorilla care and advise on conservation efforts that help protect gorillas in the wild while supporting the people and communities working to save them.”
The announcement comes as Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates the recent arrival of Bakari, a 21-year-old western lowland gorilla who joined the family troop at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. His arrival creates new opportunities for guests to connect with gorillas and learn about the conservation partnerships and field work helping protect the species in the wild.
For more than 30 years, the Disney Conservation Fund has supported wildlife conservation efforts and inspired action for nature around the world. Since 1995, the fund has directed more than $141 million to nonprofit organizations working with communities to protect wildlife, conserve habitats and promote environmental resilience. Through the collective support of Disney and its guests, the fund helps create lasting positive impact for species and ecosystems across the globe.
To learn more about the Disney Conservation Fund, visit Disney.com/Conservation and follow Disney Conservation on Facebook and Instagram, and Animals at Disney on Facebook and Instagram.