Gorillas on the Line…Answer the Call!

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is partnering with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions across the globe for Gorillas on the Line, a cell phone recycling initiative. Looking around your own home is a great way to start; almost everyone has one or two outdated devices laying around. Visitors can recycle their old cell phones, small electronic devices, and battery chargers (no laptops) in the collection box at Como’s Visitor Center. The campaign at Como kicks off during the Hop Into Spring Weekend.

Taking small steps, such as recycling old small electronics, can have an impact on gorilla conservation. Coltan (a mineral compound used to manufacture small electronics, cell phones, tablets, and battery chargers) is hand-mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is prime gorilla habitat. The deforestation and mining of coltan continues to displace these critically endangered species.

Recycling old phones and electronics raises money to directly support gorilla conservation initiatives through Gorilla SAFE programs.