Partners in Conservation
Learn about the Zoo’s financial commitment to holistic conservation efforts in Central Africa.
Collaborating with its partners in East Central Africa, Partners In Conservation raises and distributes funds that benefit both wildlife and people.
Founded in 1991 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Partners In Conservation’s work is driven by a vision for the coexistence of all living things, and your support is integral!
The Rwandan Fête
The Rwandan Fête started in 1995 as the major fundraiser to support Partners In Conservation’s mission. This tradition has grown into one of the Columbus Zoo’s premier fundraising events and includes international speakers, up to 500 guests, an African market, online and live auctions, and a delicious African-inspired meal.
The 2023 Fête was a great success! Because of your generous support, Gorilla Doctors has already been able to purchase a much-needed dual-head microscope for their Rwandan Laboratory.
Join us on September 21, 2024!
Three Key Pillars
Gorilla and Wildlife Conservation
We are proud to partner with conservation organizations that are actively working to protect the Eastern gorillas, both mountain and Grauer’s gorillas, through veterinary care, monitoring, and protection. The most recent gorilla census completed by the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (with assistance from the International Gorilla Conservation Programme) counted 1,063 mountain gorillas. While we are thrilled that the mountain gorilla population has increased, many threats remain, so we must maintain our momentum. Our goal is to continue to support this pillar and hopefully see continued population growth.
Community Empowerment 
Helping local populations better their lives and thrive without poaching or deforestation, enables them to conserve their wild places. With knowledge and resources, local people want to be part of the solution and choose sustainable careers if those options are available. Beekeeping, agroforestry, basket weaving and more have helped our partners to support their families while eliminating the need to use forest resources.
Habitat Conservation and Protection 
Habitat Conservation and Protection are critical to ensure that our first two pillars are successful. Habitat destruction is one of the greatest threats facing wildlife worldwide. We’re proud to be part of the solution by partnering with organizations that are both strategically protecting the forest and restoring habitats through planting trees, educating families living on the edge of gorilla habitats, as well as sharing techniques with the local population to provide for their families in ways that do not threaten the forest.
Partners In Conservation (PIC) continues its focus on the three pillars of Gorilla Conservation and Health, Education and Sustainable Livelihoods, and Habitat Conservation and Protection. PIC support ranges from reforestation efforts, to improving lives of those with disabilities, to caring for mountain gorilla health. Partners In Conservation continues to provide important funds to ensure these programs and projects continue to thrive leading to continued conservation success.
