Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Threats and Solutions

Going, going, gone?

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 23, 2023

1. Threats and Solutions Marker

Inscription.

Threats and Solutions. Going, going, gone?. , Too Close for Comfort , Habitat destruction has forced gorillas to live closer to human settlements. Since gorillas and humans share most genes, we also share most diseases. Outbreaks of Ebola that have killed hundreds of people before being contained have wiped out entire populations of neighboring gorillas. Even diseases that do not cause death threaten the long-term survival of gorillas. Parasites can weaken a gorilla's immune system, decreasing their ability to fight off disease, heal from wounds or cope with stress. Diseases can also reduce conception rates and increase the number of miscarriages experienced by females, further diminishing the already small gorilla populations., Helping People Helps Gorillas , The conservation challenge disease presents is big but not unbeatable. Improving the health and living conditions of humans also helps the health of gorillas. Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) is an innovative conservation program that helps protect the mountain gorillas of Bwindi with a community-based program that teaches good hygiene and health care practices to local people., More Than Politics? , Political conflict and war greatly affect the lives and wellbeing of both Central Africa's citizens and gorillas. During wars, gorillas are not only killed for meat by soldiers and fleeing refugees, but also shot for target practice and sport. The migration of thousands of people through forests to escape war-torn villages creates widespread habitat destruction. This can force gorillas to abandon their established homes and separate gorilla family groups., Gorillas in her Midst , For 40 years, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) has carried out research, monitoring and protection programs for Virunga's mountain gorillas. A significant increase in the Virunga mountain gorilla population is a direct result of DFGFI's protection and daily monitoring of resident gorillas. Even through dangerous civil wars, the presence of DFGFI rangers has helped safeguard Virunga's mountain gorillas.

Too Close for Comfort
Habitat destruction has forced gorillas to live closer to human settlements. Since gorillas and humans share most genes, we also share most diseases. Outbreaks of Ebola that have killed hundreds of people before being contained have wiped out entire populations of neighboring gorillas. Even diseases that do not cause death threaten the long-term survival of gorillas. Parasites can weaken a gorilla's immune system, decreasing their ability to fight off disease, heal from wounds or cope with stress. Diseases can also reduce conception rates and increase the number of miscarriages experienced by females, further diminishing the already small gorilla populations.

Helping People Helps Gorillas
The conservation challenge disease presents is big but not unbeatable. Improving the health and living conditions of humans also helps the health of gorillas. Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) is an innovative conservation program that helps protect the mountain gorillas of Bwindi with a community-based program that teaches good hygiene and health care practices to local people.

More Than Politics?
Political

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conflict and war greatly affect the lives and wellbeing of both Central Africa's citizens and gorillas. During wars, gorillas are not only killed for meat by soldiers and fleeing refugees, but also shot for target practice and sport. The migration of thousands of people through forests to escape war-torn villages creates widespread habitat destruction. This can force gorillas to abandon their established homes and separate gorilla family groups.

Gorillas in her Midst
For 40 years, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) has carried out research, monitoring and protection programs for Virunga's mountain gorillas. A significant increase in the Virunga mountain gorilla population is a direct result of DFGFI's protection and daily monitoring of resident gorillas. Even through dangerous civil wars, the presence of DFGFI rangers has helped safeguard Virunga's mountain gorillas.

Erected by Saint Louis Zoo.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Education • Environment • Science & Medicine • Wars, Non-US.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 23, 2023

2. Threats and Solutions Marker

located near 38° 38.144′ N, 90° 17.337′ W. Marker was in St. Louis, Missouri. It was in Forest Park. It could be reached from Wells Drive 0.1 miles west of Concourse Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the grounds of the St. Louis Zoo. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1 Government Dr, Saint Louis MO 63110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Our Endangered Gorrillas (within shouting distance of this marker); Watch Our Conservation Efforts Grow! (within shouting distance of this marker); A Century of Free Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); Swan Goose

Photographed by Garrett Koch, April 7, 2025

3. Threats and Solutions Marker

MISSING MARKER! Like all of the markers in the Jungle of the Apes section, this marker has been removed from the site pictured. It is not known if it was moved elsewhere but a tour through the whole section revealed 4 markers that are nowhere in public sight.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Nest of the Bald Eagle (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Loss of Land and Beauty (about 400 feet away); Bringing Back the Beauty (about 400 feet away); Saint Louis Zoo Friends Association (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

Other markers no longer nearby. Two Species - One Fate (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Gorilla (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on June 2, 2026, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri.