How Can Old Mobile Phones Can Help Primate Conservation?

We hear that Zoos Victoria has recently launched a mobile phone recycling campaign aimed
at gorilla conservation in West Africa.

What do gorillas and mobile phones have in common?

Every time your mobile phone rings, a tiny metallic ore inside is connecting that call. That metal is called coltan and its illegal mining in West Africa is destroying the habitat or gorillas and other primates such as chimpanzees at an alarming rate.

What Is Zoos Victoria Doing About This?

In partnership with Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation (Jane has recently turned 75!) and Aussie Recycling Program Zoos Victoria has developed They’re Calling on You a mobile phone recycling campaign that aims to:

• Raise awareness of the issue of coltan mining, its impacts on primates and the need to lessen the demand by recycling mobile phones
• Raise money for the Jane Goodall Institute for primate conservation in Africa and for the care of Melbourne Zoo’s gorillas through the sale of refurbished phones
• Divert mobiles from landfill

Progress To Date

In the first four months of the campaign they have raised enough money for Jane Goodall Institute to work with Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International to pay the wages, feed, and cloth a Congolese Park Ranger.

This Park Ranger patrols the Maiko National park in the North-Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Rwanda.

The campaign has now gone national with Taronga Zoo (NSW), Adelaide Zoo, Monarto Zoo (SA), Perth Zoo, Sea World (QLD), Mogo Zoo (NSW) and Pet Porpoise Zoo (QLD) taking on the campaign in their states.

Jacquie O’Brien, Communications Manager for Zoos Vic asks people to pass on this message.

Special Incentive In Vic

During April people can bring their old mobiles with them when they come to
Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary or Werribee Open Range Zoo and they
will go in a special draw to win a behind the scenes experience for
themselves and five friends to meet the Zoo’s gorilla family.

For more information visit http://www.zoo.org.au or don’t hesitate to contact Jacquie:
Phone: 61 3 9285 9481
Mobile: 0409 115 003
Fax: 61 3 9285 9350
Email: jobrien@zoo.org.au