Block Highlights Gorilla51's Campaign on Tech's Environmental Impact on Endangered Gorillas
- Gorilla51 Megazine's campaign highlights the environmental impact of smartphones on endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda.
- Coltan mining for smartphone production destroys gorilla habitats, threatening their survival and exacerbating conservation challenges.
- The campaign encourages reflection on consumer choices and their effects on biodiversity and wildlife preservation.
Highlighting the Environmental Impact of Technology: Gorilla51's Campaign for Endangered Gorillas
In a striking initiative, Gorilla51 Megazine recently launches a global awareness campaign to spotlight the dire situation of endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The campaign, which debuted on September 1, 2025, features a compelling video and photograph displayed prominently on billboards in Times Square, New York. The video, beginning with the iconic roar of Tarzan, captivates viewers and introduces the powerful message, "Our Cell Phone, Their Grief: Save the Gorillas." This initiative seeks to address the critical environmental issues tied to modern technology, particularly the smartphone industry, and its impact on wildlife conservation.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to approximately 400 mountain gorillas, representing nearly half of the world’s remaining population. However, this remarkable species faces severe threats, with three of the four subspecies classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). A significant contributor to their declining numbers is habitat destruction driven by coltan mining, a mineral vital for smartphone production. This mining activity not only devastates gorilla habitats but also exacerbates the conflict between technological progress and wildlife preservation.
The campaign draws on the evocative photography of UNESCO-designated artist Ji Young-Bin, featuring a haunting image of a gorilla’s eyes against a backdrop of discarded technology, symbolizing the clash between human advancement and conservation efforts. Collaborating with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka of Conservation Through Public Health, Gorilla51 Megazine aims to provoke reflection on the consequences of consumer choices on biodiversity. Through this multifaceted campaign, the organization strives to ignite a global dialogue regarding the urgent need for conservation and the protection of these extraordinary creatures, encouraging individuals to consider the environmental costs of their technological lifestyles.
In addition to this campaign, other organizations are also making headlines with their efforts. Think Academy, a global K–12 math education provider, celebrates the achievements of its students with a billboard display in Times Square, highlighting their successes in various math competitions. The company has seen remarkable accomplishments, with students earning numerous accolades, including AMC medals and top placements in national contests.
As Gorilla51 Megazine and Think Academy make strides in their respective missions, both organizations underline the importance of social responsibility—whether through environmental conservation or educational excellence—demonstrating how businesses can leverage their platforms for greater societal impact.