Ian Redmond - A world leader in gorilla conservation

Posted by Michael Starbuck on 7th Feb 2014

Here at 'The Great Projects', we are proud to now offer 34 different projects and voluntours, each built around the principle aspects of conservation and ecotourism.

One of our most established projects is 'The Great Gorilla Project', where volunteers have the privilege to come face to face the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas of Uganda. Run by our fantastic Project Developer and Leader Harriet, the trip has been extremely well received, even being awarded a place on the 'Guardian Green Travel List' in 2011.

Since 2011, we have also been fortunate enough to be able to run the trip with none other than Ian Redmond OBE, one of the world's leading conservationists and protégé of the infamous Dian Fossey. Ian is renowned for his work with both mountain gorillas and elephants, and for over 30 years he has been associated with the mountain gorillas of central Africa. Putting conservation principles into practice, he has led anti-poacher patrols, infiltrated poaching rings in Congo, and guided film crews into close encounters with gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, elephants, and even erupting volcanoes! What's more, he has passionately worked hard towards supporting local conservationists and schemes during the horrors of Rwanda's genocide and the civil war which has ravaged the Democratic Republic of Congo for years.

His work on behalf of animals was recognised in 1996 with the presentation of the PAWS Humane Achievement Award, at a ceremony in Hollywood, California, and he was appointed OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2006, served as Ambassador for the UN Year of the Gorilla 2009 and is currently an Ambassador for the Convention on Migratory Species.

Ian also founded in 1996 the 'Ape Alliance' – an international coalition of organisations and individuals, with world famous patrons (including Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio), working for gorilla conservation and welfare as well as all other apes around the world. This is a fantastic coalition, really working to conserve man's closest relative and help raise awareness all over the globe.

Here's what our Project Developer and Leader of this very special project, Harriet, has to say about Ian:

"There truly is nothing better than learning about the gorillas from Ian…he is after all the leading gorilla specialist in the world. Ian is very hands on when it comes to the trek, so expect to be given gorilla food to eat, hear him talk (or grunt) like a gorilla, and to be transported back to the time when Dian Fossey was living alongside the gorillas through his incredible storytelling. After all….he was there! You'll feel completely absorbed and amazed and will hang on his every word…"

If you would like to meet Ian and aid gorilla conservationon one of our tours, just visit our project page hereand enquire. It really is a fantastic privilege to be able to meet him!

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