Can’t Wait to Be Back in the Most Peaceful and Beautiful Place on Earth ❤️π¦
There’s a certain kind of peace you can only feel in the wild — that deep, grounding stillness that hums beneath the sounds of rustling leaves, distant bird calls, and the soft rumble of life all around you. For me, that peace lives in one place: the forests of Africa, where our rewilded gorillas now roam free. I can’t wait to be back there soon — the most peaceful and beautiful place on earth.
Every time I return, I’m reminded of why we do what we do. Watching our gorillas, who were once orphaned, rescued, or born in human care, now thriving in their natural home — it’s beyond words. It’s not just a conservation achievement; it’s a miracle built on trust, love, and unwavering belief that they deserve to live free.
To this day, we remain the only people in the world who have successfully sent gorillas back to the wild. Nearly 80 gorillas now live freely in the forests, forming families, having babies, and rebuilding populations that were once nearly lost.
The Beginning of an Impossible Dream
When our work first began, people said it couldn’t be done. They told us gorillas raised in captivity could never survive in the wild — that they would depend on humans forever. But we refused to accept that.
From the very beginning, our mission was built on one belief: gorillas belong in the wild. No matter how much care we give them in sanctuaries, no matter how much love they show us in return — their true home is under the canopy of trees, not behind fences.
It took years of preparation, endless nights of planning, and countless moments of heartbreak before that dream became reality. Every rescue carried its own story — a mother killed by poachers, a baby left alone and terrified, a troop displaced by logging. Each gorilla that came into our care carried the scars of what humans had done to them.
And yet, despite everything, they never gave up on us. Their resilience continues to amaze me every single day.
A Bond Built on Trust and Respect
What makes our work so unique is the relationship we’ve built with these incredible beings. It’s not based on dominance or control. It’s built purely on trust and respect.
When you raise a gorilla from infancy, you learn to communicate in a language that has no words. A gentle grunt, a glance, a gesture — every small movement means something. Over time, they begin to see you not as a threat, but as part of their world.
That trust is sacred. It’s what allows us to safely work alongside them, to understand their needs, and to eventually help them take the biggest step of all — the journey back to freedom.
Some of our gorillas have known me since they were tiny, clinging to blankets for comfort. Seeing those same individuals now leading troops, caring for their own young, and thriving in the wild fills me with indescribable pride.
The Moment They Step Into Freedom
The day we release them back into the wild is always emotional. There’s excitement, of course — but also a deep sense of awe. As the truck doors open and they take those first steps onto the forest floor, there’s a stillness that seems to ripple through everyone watching.
They pause. They sniff the air. They look around — cautious, curious, alert. And then, slowly, they begin to move deeper into the trees. You can almost feel them realizing that this is home. That this is what they were always meant for.
No matter how many times I witness that moment, it never gets easier to hold back tears. It’s a mix of pride, joy, and gratitude — gratitude for the gorillas’ courage, for the people who made it possible, and for the forests that welcome them back.
The Wild Is Healing
What’s most inspiring is what happens after the release. Our monitoring teams have watched these gorillas adapt beautifully — forming groups, finding food, protecting each other, and even having babies.
Every birth in the wild is a triumph. It means the circle of life is continuing, naturally and freely. It means the gorillas are not just surviving — they’re thriving.
Today, nearly 80 gorillas that were once in human care now live completely free in Africa. That number still amazes me. Each one represents years of dedication, thousands of hours of care, and the collective effort of people who refused to give up on them.
The wild, too, has begun to heal. Gorillas play a vital role in maintaining forest ecosystems — spreading seeds, creating pathways, and nurturing balance. Their return helps restore entire habitats that depend on their presence.
Peace Found Among Giants
There’s something profoundly peaceful about sitting quietly in the forest, surrounded by gorillas who once knew only human care, now at home where they belong.
When I’m there, all the noise of the world fades away. There’s no rush, no distraction — just pure connection. Watching them feed, play, or rest beneath the trees reminds me what harmony truly looks like.
They remind me that peace isn’t about escaping the world — it’s about finding your place within it. And for me, that place will always be here, in these forests, among the gorillas I’ve known and loved for so long.
Looking Ahead
As I prepare to return soon, I can already feel that sense of calm calling me back. Every visit renews my spirit and reminds me why we fight so hard to protect wildlife and wild spaces.
There’s still so much work to do — threats like habitat loss, poaching, and climate change continue to endanger gorillas and countless other species. But seeing nearly 80 rewilded gorillas thriving gives me hope. It proves that with compassion, science, and collaboration, it is possible to undo some of the damage humanity has caused.
Every success story inspires another. And my hope is that one day, other conservation projects around the world will follow suit — that rewilding will become the new standard, not the exception.
A Final Thought
The forests are calling again — and I can’t wait to answer. To stand among the trees, to hear the familiar grunts and calls echo through the canopy, to see the faces of gorillas who once depended on us now living completely free.
It’s more than a project — it’s a lifelong promise. A promise to protect, to respect, and to always believe in the power of freedom.
Nearly 80 gorillas now live wild because we refused to accept “impossible.” And that, to me, will forever make this the most peaceful and beautiful place on Earth. ❤️π¦π
