Bristol Zoo appeals for old mobile phones to help protect the future of gorillas in the wild

Bristol Zoo Gardens is appealing for people to recycle their old mobile phones to help safeguard the future of gorillas in the wild.

Mobile phones contain coltan, a mineral extracted in the forests of the Congo Basin in central Africa, home to the critically endangered lowland gorillas.

Mining for coltan takes place on a large scale and has led to widespread deforestation, which, in turn reduces the available habitat for animals. Opening up the forests has also resulted in an increase in illegal poaching and the bushmeat trade.

Bristol Zoo is asking people to help reduce the need for coltan by recycling their old phones and help protect the future of gorillas which live in the forests of the Congo.

Bryan Carroll, deputy director of Bristol Zoo, said: “Many people will have received new mobile phones for Christmas, so we are asking them to consider recycling their old phones for this very valuable and worthwhile cause. You’ll also be doing your bit to help the environment by saving waste from going to landfill. Even if your phone can’t be re-used, it will be recycled.”

Unwanted mobile phones can be dropped off at the Zoo or posted, in a sturdy envelope, with the phone battery, to Bristol Zoo Mobile Phone Recycling, Greener Solutions, FREEPOST, LON17592, Mitcham, CR4 3UZ. Don’t forget to remove your SIM card.

Alternatively you can request a freepost envelope be sent to you, by contacting Lizy Jones on 0117 974 7329 or email ljones [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk.

£1.75 will be donated to Bristol Zoo for each mobile phone received, which will contribute towards Bristol Zoo’s conservation projects in the UK and abroad.

Schools, community groups or companies can order a supply of freepost envelopes to distribute. Just phone 020 8274 4040 quoting reference “Bristol Zoo” or email bristolzoo [at] greenersolutions [dot] com

For more information, visit Bristol Zoo’s website www.bristolzoo.org.uk/learning/facts/rubbish/mobiles

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Notes to editors

Bristol Zoo Gardens

• Bristol Zoo Gardens is an education and conservation charity and relies on the income from visitors to support its work.
• Throughout 2010 Bristol Zoo will be running a series of events to highlight the importance of conserving the world’s biodiversity, as part of the international Year of Biodiversity. For more information visit the Zoo website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/conservation/campaigns/iyob
• To find out more about the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity visit the website at www.unep.org/iyb/
• Bristol Zoo is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day.
• The Zoo is involved with more than 100 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species.
• It employs 140 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work.
• Bristol Zoo Gardens supports – through finance and skill sharing - over 10 projects in the UK and abroad that conserve and protect some of the world’s most endangered species.
• Bristol Zoo Gardens is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.