World Gorilla Day is observed on September 24. It began in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of a gorilla study center in Rwanda founded by Dian Fossey. Fossey studied mountain gorillas, a species of eastern gorillas living in the Virunga Massif across Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Gorillas are losing their habitat due to poaching and other threats. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists both gorilla species as endangered. Gorillas share much of their DNA with humans, making them vulnerable to infections spread through close contact. Conservation efforts are crucial for their survival.