Chairman Ian Redmond to climb Kilimanjaro
Gorilla Organization Chairman and legendary primatologist Ian Redmond OBE is gearing up to scale Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for vital conservation work.
The pioneering naturalist (right), who famously began his career as a research assistant to Dr Dian Fossey in Rwanda, will be joined by several other leading conservationists on the ascent, due to get underway on July 28th. Following the Rongai Route, the team anticipate their climb will take a full seven days to complete.
All the money raised by Ian for the Gorilla Organization will be used to fund the innovative community conservation projects being carried out in Africa, for example by helping communities become less reliant on the resources found inside protected forests.
Speaking ahead of the big climb, Ian says: “Africa’s highest mountain has become a beacon for climate change because the famous snows of Kilimanjaro are melting.
“I’m climbing Kili@60 with a team from the PATT Foundation to raise awareness of climate change and raise funds for wildlife charities – and these two critical causes are connected.”
Indeed, by protecting gorillas and giving some of Africa’s most-vulnerable people sustainable livelihoods, the Gorilla Organization helps to maintain healthy forest ecosystems in Africa. Gorillas are keystone species in the tropical forests in which they live, pruning the plants, dispersing seeds and fertilising the soil. This means that, if tropical forests are to continue their vital role of storing carbon, generating rainfall and stabilising the climate, primates such as gorillas need to be protected at all costs.
“I am proud to serve as Chairman and hope that by climbing Kilimanjaro you will be moved to support our work,” Ian adds.
This summer will not be the first time a Gorilla Organization flag has been unfurled at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Ian’s predecessor Stanley Johnson famously summated Africa’s highest peak at the age of 70, raising thousands of pounds for gorilla conservation in the process.
To find out more about the climb and to contribute to Ian’s fundraising efforts, visit the team’s Just Giving page.