Zoo Atlanta Takes a Step Towards Gorilla Conservation
Atlanta, a bustling city filled with vibrant culture and community spirit, is leading the way in environmental conservation! Zoo Atlanta has recently launched a fantastic initiative encouraging local residents to donate their used electronics. This effort is aimed at preserving the precious habitats of gorillas while also providing the community with a convenient recycling option.
Recycle Your Electronics, Help the Gorillas
The Green Team at Zoo Atlanta has come up with a simple and effective solution to combat the destruction caused by mining minerals like coltan, which is found in many electronic devices. With the alarming rise in coltan demand, gorillas are increasingly losing their homes to mining activities. By donating unused cell phones, tablets, and other electronics to the zoo, you can play your part in protecting these magnificent creatures. And as a bonus, every donation earns guests a $5 discount on entry for the day or a free ride on the train or carousel for members!
Educating Visitors on Conservation
April Anderson, the zoo’s volunteer programs director, said it best: “Everything that we do, events and program-wise, we try to integrate into our conservation messaging.” When you visit the zoo, you not only get to admire the animals, but you also leave with a better understanding of the challenges they face in the wild. It’s a win-win! “People are coming to see the animals like, ‘Oh, they’re so cool,’ but also they’re walking away understanding what is a challenge for their counterparts in the wild and how we can change our behaviors to positively impact them,” Anderson explained.
Building Momentum with ‘Gorillas on the Line’
In a bid to expand this wonderful initiative, Zoo Atlanta has partnered with Prime Asset Recovery—an electronic recycling company. They have created the ‘Gorillas on the Line’ program, which is part of a larger effort by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums focused on gorilla conservation. The goal? To raise awareness among community members and educate them about what they can do to help. “Gorillas on the Line is a campaign that staff members from different zoos are a part of,” Anderson explained.
Why Coltan Matters
So, why are we so concerned about coltan? This crucial mineral is used in a variety of electronics, and its mining is one of the major threats to gorillas’ habitats, especially the Western Lowland Gorillas at Zoo Atlanta. These gorillas hail from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where coltan mining takes place, directly affecting their natural habitat. By recycling electronics, we can help reduce the demand for coltan, a small but impactful step towards conserving gorilla populations.
A Community Effort
The Green Team’s efforts are not only focused on collecting electronics; they’re also about building community awareness. It’s clear from the response during previous events, like the electronic recycling event held during the Super Bowl to support a partnership with Verizon, that people want to make a difference! “We had many people who pulled up with a carload of stuff,” Anderson shared. “Just letting the community know that you can recycle it, and it doesn’t have to end up in a landfill is what’s important.”
Spreading the Word
As they continue to develop this initiative, Anderson and her team hope to educate more individuals about recycling electronics. With limited options available for recycling tech, they believe that events like this will inspire people to think about where they can take their old devices. As Amy Arnold, the zoo’s facilities operations manager, stated, “We want to try and show that there is a Green Team here at the zoo and to drive attendance working towards sustainability.”
Join the Movement!
If you’re in Atlanta and have been holding onto old electronics, it’s time to clear out that clutter for a great cause! The Green Team is eager to get as many community members involved as possible. “We’ve done this work that hopefully will continue,” Arnold shared, “and that others, whether they’re on the Green Team or not, will help with that mission.” Every small action counts when it comes to sustainability, and through this electronic recycling event, Zoo Atlanta is empowering the community to make a significant difference. So, let’s all do our part—donate those old devices and help protect our furry friends in the wild!
