Extinction Brooch Series
Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Seed bead, felt lining, leather back, metal brooch pin
2025
Living in misty mountain forests, the mountain gorilla’s intelligence and tenderness are conveyed through soft contours and rich, dark hues. This brooch captures the strength and gentleness of the species, with beaded lines following its quiet gaze in stillness.
As of late 2025, the total wild mountain gorilla population is estimated at 1,063 individuals, a significant increase from past decades, indicating that conservation efforts are working and that gorillas live in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This number is based on census data, including a recent one in May 2025 for the Bwindi/Sarambwe area, confirming a rebounding population from near-extinction.