---
title: Orphaned Gorillas in Congo
description: Back in 1987 The Aspinall Foundation signed an agreement with the Ministry of Forests of the Congo to begin its work to protect the western lowland gorilla. A significant step occurred in 1989 when the first ever gorilla orphanage was opened in Brazzaville.
image: https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/hubfs/TAF%20Photos/Loukolela%20on%20arrival.jpg
---

[![The Aspinall Foundation](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/hubfs/Aspinallfoundation-Feb2017/Images/global.png) The Aspinall Foundation](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/)

Menu

Search

[![The Aspinall Foundation](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/hubfs/Aspinallfoundation-Feb2017/Images/aspinallfoundation.png)](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/)

Menu

[Home](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/)

- [The Aspinall Foundation](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/the-aspinall-foundation/)
- [Port Lympne](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/)
- [Howletts](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts/)
- [Weddings](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/weddings/)
- [Short Breaks](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/short-breaks/)

[Donate Today](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/donate/) [Adopt an animal](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/the-aspinall-foundation/animal-adoptions/)

Submit

# The Aspinall Foundation

# Orphaned Gorillas in Congo

Posted by [The Aspinall Foundation](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/author/the-aspinall-foundation) on 25-Jun-2019 14:36:02

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

**Back in 1987 The Aspinall Foundation signed an agreement with the Ministry of Forests of the Congo to begin its work to protect the western lowland gorilla.**

A significant step occurred in 1989 when the first ever gorilla orphanage was opened in Brazzaville. This was just the beginning of a steep learning curve into the care and management of baby gorillas – usually traumatised, weak and depressed, following the devastating loss of their family group, most often to the bush meat trade.![Loukolela on arrival](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TAF%20Photos/Loukolela%20on%20arrival.jpg?width=515&name=Loukolela%20on%20arrival.jpg)

Although the Brazzaville orphanage was closed following the war in Congo in 1997, we have continued to rehabilitate young gorillas, and prepare them for life in the wild. When the time was right, they have been released into the Lesio Louna sanctuary where some of them remain to this day as part of our Gorilla Protection Project. Although we have cared for more than 100 orphans the number coming to us has diminished over the years, partly because the trade in baby gorillas to ex-pats has lessened.![Loukolela 2 months after arrival (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TAF%20Photos/Loukolela%202%20months%20after%20arrival%20(2).jpg?width=4160&name=Loukolela%202%20months%20after%20arrival%20(2).jpg)

However the bush meat trade is still going strong and by the time two young orphans at our rehabilitation site, Owando and Yengo, were released on 11 November 2016 we had already received a new orphan, Loukoléla, the first gorilla confiscated in Congo for five years. Then in January 2018 we received a second male who we named Bomassa. Loukoléla is probably a year or so older than Bomassa but both were severely depressed, very weak and suffering the effects of shock when they came to us. After three months in quarantine Bomassa joined Loukoléla and they will now remain together until they are ready for release Back to the Wild.![Bomassa April 2018](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TAF%20Photos/Bomassa%20April%202018.jpg?width=810&name=Bomassa%20April%202018.jpg)

By Matthieu Bonnet - Regional Director, TAF Gabon & Congo RC[![Donate Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2756589/42ce5807-6c34-431b-afdc-430cc6dd2d92.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2756589/42ce5807-6c34-431b-afdc-430cc6dd2d92)

 

 Topics: [Conservation](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/conservation), [Gorillas](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/gorillas), [Congo](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/congo), [back to the wild](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/back-to-the-wild)

## The Aspinall Foundation Blog

### Latest News

Sign up for our latest news by entering your email below!

### Subscribe to Email Updates

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [The Aspinall Foundation (111)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/the-aspinall-foundation)
- [Conservation (104)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/conservation)
- [Wildlife (75)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/wildlife)
- [Port Lympne Reserve (57)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/port-lympne-reserve)
- [Madagascar (48)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/madagascar)
- [Day out (40)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/day-out)
- [Family (39)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/family)
- [Gorillas (33)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/gorillas)
- [Howletts (33)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/howletts)
- [back to the wild (31)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/back-to-the-wild)
- [Java (20)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/java)
- [south africa (19)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/south-africa)
- [backtothewild (18)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/backtothewild)
- [Experiences (17)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/experiences)
- [Gabon (16)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/gabon)
- [Lemurs (16)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/lemurs)
- [gorilla (16)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/gorilla)
- [Congo (14)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/congo)
- [Family Days out (13)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/family-days-out)
- [rewilding (13)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/rewilding)
- [Weddings (11)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/weddings)
- [elephant (11)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/elephant)
- [primate (11)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/primate)
- [western lowland gorilla (11)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/western-lowland-gorilla)
- [Holiday (10)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/holiday)
- [Short breaks (10)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/short-breaks)
- [Gibbon (8)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/gibbon)
- [Wedding Venues (8)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/wedding-venues)
- [lion (8)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/lion)
- [All Weather Activities (7)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/all-weather-activities)
- [Cheetah (7)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/cheetah)
- [Lésio Louna (6)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/lésio-louna)
- [Sumatra (6)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/sumatra)
- [Wedding Day (6)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/wedding-day)
- [african elephant (6)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/african-elephant)
- [javan gibbon (6)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/javan-gibbon)
- [rescue (6)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/rescue)
- [Insider (5)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/insider)
- [Rhino (5)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/rhino)
- [Siamang gibbon (5)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/siamang-gibbon)
- [Date Ideas (4)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/date-ideas)
- [IUCN Save our Species (4)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/iucn-save-our-species)
- [Indonesia (4)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/indonesia)
- [Javan langur (4)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/javan-langur)
- [africa (4)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/africa)
- [facts (4)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/facts)
- [silverback (4)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/silverback)
- [Christmas (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/christmas)
- [Fish (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/fish)
- [Food (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/food)
- [Glamping (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/glamping)
- [Luxury (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/luxury)
- [baby (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/baby)
- [community (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/community)
- [forest elephant (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/forest-elephant)
- [monkey (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/monkey)
- [painted dog (3)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/painted-dog)
- [Clouded Leopard (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/clouded-leopard)
- [History (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/history)
- [Ice Age (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/ice-age)
- [Restaurants (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/restaurants)
- [Wedding Venue Checklists (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/wedding-venue-checklists)
- [camera trap (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/camera-trap)
- [cub (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/cub)
- [large carnivore (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/large-carnivore)
- [reforestation (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/reforestation)
- [restaurant (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/restaurant)
- [zebra (2)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/zebra)
- [Babydoll's (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/babydolls)
- [Chimps (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/chimps)
- [Mandrills (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/mandrills)
- [Megafauna (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/megafauna)
- [Painted Wolves (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/painted-wolves)
- [Ranger (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/ranger)
- [Romania (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/romania)
- [Seaview Predator Park (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/seaview-predator-park)
- [Special Day (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/special-day)
- [Sumatran Gibbon (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/sumatran-gibbon)
- [Testimonial (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/testimonial)
- [animal facts (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/animal-facts)
- [baboon (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/baboon)
- [bear lodge (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/bear-lodge)
- [big cat (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/big-cat)
- [bison (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/bison)
- [black-footed cat (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/black-footed-cat)
- [carnivores (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/carnivores)
- [charity (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/charity)
- [debrazza (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/debrazza)
- [footage (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/footage)
- [fundraising (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/fundraising)
- [gelada (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/gelada)
- [gift (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/gift)
- [giraffes (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/giraffes)
- [half term (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/half-term)
- [halloween (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/halloween)
- [honey (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/honey)
- [horse (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/horse)
- [hotel (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/hotel)
- [kenya (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/kenya)
- [kids go free (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/kids-go-free)
- [kilimanjaro (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/kilimanjaro)
- [lodge (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/lodge)
- [loskop (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/loskop)
- [pangolin (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/pangolin)
- [poaching (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/poaching)
- [present (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/present)
- [przewalski (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/przewalski)
- [recipe (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/recipe)
- [sale (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/sale)
- [small carnivore (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/small-carnivore)
- [staycation (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/staycation)
- [technology (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/technology)
- [vulture (1)](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/vulture)

see all

### Join our newsletter

### Social Media

- [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/theaspinallfoundation)
- [TWITTER](https://twitter.com/AspinallCharity)
- [YOUTUBE](https://www.youtube.com/user/KentAnimalPark)
- [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/theaspinallfoundation/)

### Contact Us

- [INFO@ASPINALLFOUNDATION.ORG](mailto:INFO@ASPINALLFOUNDATION.ORG)
- [How to contact us](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/contact-us/)

### Media Centre

- [Media Centre](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/media-centre/)

### Join our newsletter

### Social Media

- [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/theaspinallfoundation)
- [TWITTER](https://twitter.com/AspinallCharity)
- [YOUTUBE](https://www.youtube.com/user/KentAnimalPark)
- [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/theaspinallfoundation/)

### More

- [Job vacancies & Careers](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/careers/)
- [Volunteering](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/volunteering/)
- [Frequently asked questions](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/frequently-asked-questions/)
- [Customer promise](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/the-aspinall-foundation/support-us/customer-promise/)

- [Cookie Policy](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/cookies/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/privacy-policy/)
- [Terms & Conditions](https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/terms-and-conditions/)
- [design by prodo digital](http://www.prodo.com)

Link Icon