Protecting Mountain Gorillas
In 2021 we collaborated with Belgiums no.1 tennis player Elise Mertens to raise funds for Virunga National Park to support critically endangered gorillas.
The capsule collection has sold out but you can still support Virunga
WE NEED TO ACT NOW
TO PROTECT ONE OF THE MOST BIODIVERSE PLACES ON EARTH
Virunga National Park, photo by Cameron Anderson Raffan
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
We have all become more aware of the importance of protecting biodiversity, for the good of the ecosystems, wildlife and for the good of the planet. Everything is interlinked and Virunga is one of the biggest, most biodiverse protected Parks that needs our help.
Virunga has remained closed to tourists since March 2020 to protect the staff, communities as well as the gorillas from Covid-19.
The Park is constantly under threat by the occupation of armed groups (an estimated 1,500-3,000 occupy the Park).
Armed groups are responsible for numerous violent deaths among civilians and the Park’s rangers. They engage in natural resource trafficking damaging the environment; including illegal fishing, clearing of forests for making charcoal and poaching wildlife.
Virunga’s Rangers stand fearlessly on the frontline of conservation for the protection of the Park’s wildlife. Over 200 rangers have been killed in the line of duty in the past 25 years.
We can all do something to help.
Photo by Cameron Anderson Raffan
MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
The world’s entire population of endangered mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi, which spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Their habitat is the dense forests on the lush slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, they travel in troops coming down to the lowlands to feed on plants, and they can live up to 40 years in the wild.
30 years ago the species was critically endangered - there were only 250 mountain gorillas in the world. Today there are approximately 1,000 in the world; Virunga is home to a third of the world’s mountain gorilla population.
This year (2021) 16 baby mountain gorillas have born in Virunga!
Virunga’s Rangers photo by Adam Kiefer
WHY VIRUNGA’S RANGERS
Beabond is about making a difference and with our jewellery designs this means supporting conservation, something we care deeply about. When we first spoke to Elise about designing a necklace for charity it was clear that we needed to raise support Virunga’s Rangers as well as the mountain gorillas.
Virunga’s Rangers stand fearlessly on the frontline of conservation for the protection of the Park’s wildlife, natural resources, and for the surrounding communities.
One of the roles of the Rangers is to protect the parks wildlife including the endangered mountain gorillas. They routinely face harsh physical conditions, injury, or even death.
Work continues for the 689 Rangers every day; from removing snares, looking after the orphaned gorillas to building a green economy through the Virunga Alliance.
Without the commitment of these brave men and women, Virunga would not exist.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
ELISE MERTENS AND VIRUNGA
Elise Mertens wearing a bespoke Beabond Diamond Tag
Elise is Belgiums No.1 tennis player and the 2021 Australian Open women’s doubles champion
We are both excited to launch this Virunga necklace it’s obvious how passionate Elise is about animals, she insists if she wasn’t a tennis champion she would work with animals.
“It’s a dream of mine to visit Africa—to visit the park, see the animals and meet the Virunga Rangers and team who work so hard every day.”
Elise met conservationist Anthony Caere, one of Virunga’s anti poaching pilots and was moved by his story. Which is why Elise has been working with Beabond to design the Mountain Gorilla Tag to raise awareness and more importantly money to support Virunga.
Together we are proud to donate 30% of the profits to Virunga National Park and thanks to Wild Philanthropy your money goes even further, they will double the donations so for every €1 raised they will donate €2 to Virunga
So buy one and wear it with pride and the determination that if we all do our bit we can support the rangers, gorillas and biodiversity for the future of the planet
Learn more about Virunga
“I’m honoured to wear an official Virunga National Park Rangers badge on my tennis bag. This necklace and campaign is just a small way to show my support and bring attention to the important work they do.”
Elise Mertens
Wild Philanthropy is designed to protect at-risk ecosystems and support vulnerable communities in Africa and was set up by award winning adventure travel company Journeys by Design. As part of the Africa House Group, it is working to transform the way travel benefits Africa, it’s people, places and wildlife.
“Wild Philanthropy believes business can be a force for good, and we are proud to champion companies such as Beabond, who help raise funds for critical conservation work. We are very thankful to Elise for helping raise the profile of Virunga.”
Read - Virunga National Park, BBC
Watch - Virunga Netflix
Follow - Virunga