Skip to main content
COMMUNITY:
Project Descriptions

Congo Gorilla Forest

February 1, 1997 - December 31, 2000 | Public Programs, Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks, Exhibitions
The Wildlife Conservation Society will develop "Congo Gorilla Forest." This will be a 6.5 acre outdoor exhibit that will provide visitors with a realistic trip through a living Congo Ecosystem, ending in an arms-length observation of a colony of 30 Lowland Gorillas living in a natural setting. The science presented in this exhibit is based on much of the seminal research that has been carried out on the Congo Forest environment by scientists at the Zoo. During their trip visitors will be able to explore and develop their own insights into this dynamic ecosystem and at the end will be drawn into difficult conservation issues. The exhibit will include the Rain Forest Trail, Living Treasures of the Congo Gallery, Conservation Showcase and Theater, Great Apes Gallery, and the Conservation Choices Pavilion. In addition there will be a menu of complementary formal education materials to include parent workshops, teacher training activities, and instructional materials. Linkages have been made with the New York Urban Systemic Initiative and the formal education programs will complement the goals of this systemic initiative. Given the Zoo's location in the Bronx, given the Zoo's reputation as a leader in wildlife conservation, and given the Zoo's renewed commitment to quality visitor experience and learning activities, this exhibit will break new ground in the exhibition of animals and informal learning activities of visitors. It will have an impact on zoos throughout the world. They anticipate 750,000 visitors annually for the Congo Gorilla Forest.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9614738
Funding Amount: 2487169

TEAM MEMBERS

  • John Gwynne
    Principal Investigator
    Wildlife Conservation Society
  • Annette Berkovits
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Wildlife Conservation Society
  • Discipline: Ecology, forestry, and agriculture | History/policy/law | Life science
    Audience: Parents/Caregivers | General Public | Educators/Teachers | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Museum and Science Center Programs | Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks | Professional Development and Workshops | Exhibitions | Aquarium and Zoo Exhibits

    If you would like to edit a resource, please email us to submit your request.