Our mission is to educate students about mountain gorillas and the threat of extinction that they face. It is hoped that, through education, students will feel compelled to take action themselves and help to raise funds for the Gorilla Doctors. The Gorilla Doctors have been operating in Africa since 1986 and began a partnership with UC Davis in April 2009.

igorilla.org was founded in 2008 by Tony Hartman who first saw mountain gorillas in Zaire (now the DR Congo) in 1989. Making eye contact with the gorillas left him profoundly moved, with the undeniable feeling that they are intelligent, conscious creatures, with emotions not unlike those of us humans. 19 years later his passion for them led him back to Africa to document their struggle to survive as a species. This time he visited them twice - in Uganda and Rwanda. He is pictured here shooting video of gorillas in Rwanda in July 2008.

Tony's bio

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On March 4, 2011, igorilla.org held its second annual fundraiser at Ortega School in Pacifica, California. 110 kindergarten through 5th grade students signed up for the event, which raised $536 for The Gorilla Doctors. This year featured a huge capture the flag game, followed by a ice cream sundaes and a raffle for 5 Gorilla Beanie Babies. igorilla.org wishes to thank all those who participated and volunteered, especially Angie Gibbs, Lee Byrd, Kathy Fugitt, Julia Hall, Rebecca Coyte, and Beth Boldt. Photos courtesy of Heather Campagna, Lori Morrow, and Tenisha Kavanaugh.

The enthusiastic crowd can't wait to get started.

Green team members Michale Reyes, Dominic Morenco, Christopher Vizcarra, and Francisco Valdez discuss strategy.

Collin Utler, Mario Fare, Nate Azzopardi, and Anthony Zamagni plan their next attack.

Taylor Wolff tries to slip past Rebekah Dew as brother Corey and Landon Sacrey help out.

Darren Blume adjusts the headgear before reentering the fray.

Jordyn Freutel gives it her all in keeping Armani Del Rosario from scoring.

Rebekah Dew, Aja Hymes-Ruzicka, and Charlotte LaFrance are all smiles.

Drew Azzopardi breaks through the green team's defense.

Going over the rules of engagement.

Lee Byrd tries to refocus the yellow team.

Giovanni Keller and Kyle McArdle psych up for battle.

Carney Morrow, Cristina Romero, and Taylor Morrow are so mellow in yellow.

Rebecca Villalobos and Armani Del Rosario celebrate a score for the yellow team.

Lee Byrd and Tony Hartman discuss the fine art of herding cats.

Henry Villalobos is right on sister Sofia's tail.

Tommy Andre, Jared Abellera, Vince Mini, Carlos Velis, Drew Azzopardi, Mario Fare, Sara Galligani, Maile Felix.

Beth Boldt servin' up a storm as Kathy Fugitt manages the line.

Rebecca Coyte makes sure there's plenty for all including Paige Kumlin, Landon Sacrey, and Lauren Dew.

Audrey Resella and Brianna Collins enjoying their sundaes.

Raffle winners Sean Pearson, Carlos Velis, Rika Hensley, Gabriella Coleman, and Audrey Resella.

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