Help Gorillas by Recycling Old Tech at Audubon Zoo

This Saturday, you can get rid of unwanted technology devices and help save animals at the same time. Saturday, May 30, 2026, is the first of four “Cell Phone Saturdays” at Audubon Zoo. Audubon Zoo is taking part in a global conservation recycling project called “Gorillas on the Line” to help raise awareness about ways to help wild gorillas and their habitat.

Rare earth minerals including coltan are used in cell phones and other small electronic devices. These minerals are mined in parts of Africa that are also important habitat for gorillas. Recycling old tech devices can help reduce the demand for these minerals and preserve gorilla habitat.

Audubon Zoo has four critically endangered Western lowland gorillas in its troop – male Okpara, and three females, Alafia, Praline, and Tumani. Their social structure at Audubon mirrors how they would live in the wild. Those who know them best, their animal care team, will host special keeper chats on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to share more information about these amazing animals, their habitat and behaviors, and answer questions about the troop and conservation to help protect their environment.

Each of Audubon’s gorillas as a special collectable trading card that will be given away during keeper chats on “Cell Phone Saturday.” Guests can also learn more about gorillas and gorilla conservation by exploring our biofact table and gorilla-themed activities.

Cell Phone Saturdays at Audubon Zoo are from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on these dates:

May 30th, 2026

June 27th, 2026

July 25th, 2026

August 29th, 2026

The gorillas at Audubon Zoo have been working on their special art projects recently and will have a little piece of gorilla art for guests who bring in old phones and other tech to recycle.

There is a tech recycling box near the gorilla exhibit at Audubon Zoo and at the front gate.