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 April 27, 2012, igorilla.org held its third annual fundraiser at Ortega School in Pacifica, California. 104 kindergarten through 5th grade students signed up for the event, which raised $570 for The Gorilla Doctors. This year again featured a huge capture the flag game, followed by ice cream sundaes and a raffle for 5 Gorilla Beanie Babies. igorilla.org wishes to thank all those who participated and volunteered, especially Veronica Arnest, Mary Cheng, Lee Byrd, Julia and Olivia Hall, Tiffany Hanna, Leslie and Taylor Morrow, Jen Uter, Krista Carleson,Vicki Hatch, and Meslissa Hay. A special shout out to Wendy Wittmeyer for her generosity. Photos courtesy of Marilyn Wisegarver.

The yellow team prepares for battle.

Green team members Jamie Clayden and Jameel Stone try to get their side pumped up.

Last minute instructions and rules are given as the teams size each other up.

"No puppy guarding and NO WHINING!"

J.D. Moraganti calculates the most efficient route to the flag while Maddy Trexler looks to the sideline for instructions.

Ava Marcie chases Adrian Vizcarra, while Ethan Shedd provides backup.

Aja Hymes-Ruzicka having fun.

Chris Lopez breaks through the green team's defense.

Darrin Blume and Chris Cothran celebrate another yellow point.

The yellow team kept changing strategy.

Jen Uter helps Skylar Abellera get game ready.

Justin Stoltz hates capture the flag, ice cream, and gorillas...

Kylie Morrow and the green team are happy to score once again.

Lauren Dew chases Tyler Hanna back to the yellow team's side.

Andrew Marty leads the way while Austin Leark, Alyssa Iverson and a host of teammates cheer on another score.

Kaitlyn Menjivar and Marcus Cheng have their game faces on.

Mike Reyes, Zach Hernandez, and Damien Blake have the right stuff.

Nate Azzopardi practices his touchdown dance after a score.

Natalya Arnest and Kylie Morrow pose while Ashley Elliott looks on.

Ashley Elliot, Tristin Leark, Blayk Citrino, and Selah Smith ham it up for the camera.

Don't mess with Zach Hernandez!

Cassie Grozdanic and Skylar Abellera got each other's back.

Run, Nate, run!

Nate Azzopardi, Jameel Stone, and Jesse Villet dominate the action.

Rylan "The Animal" Jimenez.

Ok, let's get to the real action - ice cream sundaes!

Looks like Nathan Smith enjoyed his.

Damien Blake and Rylan Jiminez wolf down the last of their 3 sundaes.

Raffle winners Eddie Hay, Catherine Raman, Adrian Vizcarra, and Ethan Kirkpatrick. Connor Davidson left before collecting his gorilla beanie baby.

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