Got an Old Mobile Phone? Dublin Zoo Says It Could Help Save Gorillas!

That forgotten mobile phone gathering dust in a drawer could help protect endangered gorillas in the wild, thanks to a new conservation initiative launched by Dublin Zoo.

The zoo is calling on households across Ireland to dig out their unwanted phones and give them a new lease of life through its Call of the Wild campaign.

New research reveals that 64% of Irish households have at least two unused mobile phones, while 11% have five or more lying around.

But there's a surprising connection between our old phones and gorillas.

Mining for materials used in electronic devices can damage forests in Africa where critically endangered gorillas live. By recycling or refurbishing unwanted phones, valuable materials can be recovered, helping to reduce the demand for further mining.

Dublin Zoo has teamed up with Irish company Buyaphone.ie, with the ambitious goal of securing 5,000 phone trade-ins by December 2027.

People can receive payment for eligible phones or choose to donate their trade-in proceeds to Dublin Zoo. The company will also contribute towards gorilla conservation for qualifying trade-ins.

Helen Clarke, Team Leader of African Plains at Dublin Zoo, says even a small gesture can make a difference.

Research also found that 59% of people were unaware of the potential threat that mining for materials used in electronic devices poses to gorillas and their habitats.

So, before throwing that old phone away or leaving it forgotten in a drawer for another few years, it might be worth giving it a second life.

You could be helping to protect one of the world's most remarkable animals.

Find out how to take part at Dublin Zoo's Call of the Wild campaign.