Cell Phone Recycling Program Aims to Help Gorillas

By recycling your cell phone, you can help to save Africa's critically endangered gorillas. The construction of cell phones require the use of a rare ore called coltan which is mined in the central Africa. The regions of Africa that are rich in coltan are also the regions that are inhabited by populations of endangered gorillas (Gorilla gorilla).

The mining operations destroy the gorillas' habitat and leaves the area susceptable to the influx of poaching for the illegal bushmeat trade. By recyling your cell phone you can help reduce the demand for coltan.

Find out more:

• Can Cell-Phone Recycling Help African Gorillas? (National Geographic)
• Zoo Launches Cell Phone Recycling Program Aimed to Protect Wild Gorillas from Bushmeat Trade (San Diego Zoo Press Release)
• Locate a Cell Phone Recycling Center Near You (Eco-Cell)

Photo © Tina Faust