1.2 Meet Amani

The True Cost of Cellphones 1.2 Meet Amani

Photo Credit: GRACE Gorilla Sanctuary

A. Amani's Story

Directions: Read about or listen to the story of Amani and her airport rescue. As you listen, think about these two questions:

How did Amani’s story make you feel?
After hearing about Amani’s story, what questions do you have?

Click on the speaker icon below the image to listen to the story.

Photo Credit: GRACE Gorilla Sanctuary

Meet Amani

We’re going to take a trip now, deep into the heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to meet a gorilla named Amani.

Amani lives at GRACE. GRACE is a sanctuary and center that cares for gorillas who were orphaned in the wild. Amani didn’t always live at GRACE and her story of getting to GRACE was one of struggle, hardship and hope.

Amani was rescued in 2009 by the Congolese Wildlife Authority as part of a 3-month investigation. A group of poachers had been killing gorillas and capturing the babies to sell on the black market.

Amani was rescued at the Goma airport in the democratic republic of the Congo.

This baby gorilla was found stuffed and hidden in a plastic bag. She was scared and very dehydrated, which means she had gone for too long without water. She also had a bullet lodged in her right leg. The bullet was from the poachers who attacked and killed her family.

A team of Veterinarians performed surgery on her right leg. During surgery they discovered that the top of her tibia, a bone in her leg, had been destroyed by the bullet.

After her rescue, Amani needed a safe place to live, and that’s where GRACE came to her aid. She was part of the first group of gorillas to ride by helicopter to GRACE, where she lives today.

Her leg injury has left her permanently disabled. She walks more slowly, making it difficult for her to forage or find food in the forest. Due to her injuries, she receives special attention from the caregivers to help her rebuild her strength. Many of the caregivers at GRACE believe Amani is the most beautiful gorilla at Grace.

Amani’s story is just one of many stories of gorillas who have lost their families. Amani wasn’t injured because of a cell phone, but mining from cell phones makes it more likely that gorillas like Amani will meet poachers or hunters who could harm them or their families.

Story Credit: GRACE Gorilla Sanctuary