For the 82 rangers of the Parc des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park) in Rwanda, the work is never-ending. The cadre of rangers works around the clock, every day of the year to protect a precious resource – one of the few remaining populations of mountain gorillas. They guard against poaching and other illegal activities in the park and escort ecotourists on treks to view gorilla groups in the wild. Ecotourism is one of the major sources of foreign exchange for Rwanda, and is a strong incentive for continued gorilla protection. Although Volcanoes National Park straddles the equator, the gorillas live at considerable elevations. Cold temperatures, heavy chilling rain, and even hail are near-daily occurrences.  This can be a miserable and dangerous job, but the guards perform it faithfully.

Great Ape Trust purchased high-quality rain suits and warm sweaters for these heroes, to make their lives a bit more comfortable, and thus reinforce this last line of defense for these wonderful apes. The sweaters will be made in Kisoro, Uganda by a cooperative of women whose husbands were killed in local violence.