Mapendo

Mapendo is a female Eastern Lowland (Grauer’s) Gorilla living at Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education. Born in the wild in Congo in 2026, she came into human care as an infant with wild parents from her natural habitat.

She first lived at Gorilla Doctors Goma starting December 31, 2007, when she was still very young. In April 2010, she transferred to Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education, where she has made her home ever since.

Her story reflects the conservation challenges facing Eastern Lowland gorillas in the wild. Through her care at the rehabilitation center, she contributes to important conservation efforts for her critically endangered subspecies.