Celebrated American comedian and television personality Ellen DeGeneres together with Dr Sara Stoinski, the CEO and President of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, have confirmed February next year as the official launch of the gorilla conservation campus in Rwanda. Based in Musanze, the campus is a brainchild of DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi. Stoinski was giving an update on the campus on Thursday, November 4, when she appeared on the highly-rated DeGeneres television show. “Oh, Ellen. Im so excited to update you. It is absolutely amazing. I was just there. It looks phenomenal. Our goal is that well be moving in by the end of the year. And then actually well be dedicating it with the Rwandan government in February,” she said. Fossey Fund on Ellen! Did you see CEO & top scientist Dr Tara Stoinski on Ellen today?! Dr Tara Stoinski gave a great update on the gorillas and the campus ... which is almost ready to open! @savinggorillas @theellenshow @massdesignlab @Azizi_Life @RDBrwanda pic.twitter.com/SMdtBWjreH — The Ellen Fund (@TheEllenFund) November 4, 2021 Stoinski shared various videos of the $10 million campus that is now near completion. “You can see it there. And I think whats so impressive about it is that it is a true campus falling on 12 acres, these three gorgeous buildings you see with green rooms, we have housing for students,” Stoinski said in a video posted on the The Ellen Fund. Stoinski who also doubles as the Chief Scientific Officer of the fund said that at least 1500 people were working on the construction site every day. Looking at how far the project has come, Stoinski believes that Its an incredibly exciting project not just for Rwanda, but also the whole region. “Anyone that came to the campus would have the opportunity to learn more about gorillas and nature, but also feel empowered to do more for conservation because we all know that we need more to be done for conservation. So we have an incredible public exhibition where people can come, they can learn about Dian,” she said. Dian Fossey was a renowned American researcher who dedicated her life to gorilla conservation until she was murdered in 1985 in the Volcanoes National Park. Stoinski added that people could also learn about the gorillas as well as the people who have been doing the conservation work. “Since Dians death, we have had incredible developments. We have the second-largest standing rainforest thats left on the planet. It is the literal lungs of our planet, and one of our best natural defenses against climate change.” Stoinski compared the gorillas to the gardeners of the forest. “So we need them, you know, for our health as well. And just last month we had two baby gorillas born on the same day, which in 54 years of being there, thats only happened five times.” According to the scientist, one of her favorite things is if she can wake up in the morning and see theres a baby gorilla and let the world know, as part of the efforts to celebrate the concerted effort. DeGeneres confirmed that she would be in Rwanda when the campus is open. She also invited donors who want to play a role in protecting the endangered species.
