Video and Photograph from Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Seize Global Attention
On September 1, 2025, a video and a single photograph captured in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have made waves around the world. Displayed on the massive billboards of New York’s Times Square and distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/, the video and photograph open with the iconic roar of Tarzan, the king of the jungle, captivating eyes and ears before delivering a powerful message alongside striking images of endangered mountain gorillas: “Our Cell Phone, Their Grief: Save the Gorillas.”
The video and photograph, created by UNESCO-designated photographer Ji Young-Bin in collaboration with Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) in Uganda’s Bwindi, aim to raise awareness about the environmental destruction and biodiversity crisis hidden behind modern technology. The work exposes the tragic irony that the smartphones we use daily are linked to the destruction of gorilla habitats.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans 321 km² of dense lowland and montane forests and is home to roughly 400 mountain gorillas – half of the world’s population. However, their survival is threatened by the very electronic devices we use daily, such as smartphones.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), three of the four gorilla subspecies in Africa are critically endangered, with habitat destruction being the primary cause. Shockingly, the key mineral used in smartphone production, tantalum, is extracted from coltan mined in Central Africa – home to gorilla habitats. This mining results in the burning of forests and destruction of land, slowly erasing the gorillas’ home.
The powerful message of the video and photograph is embodied in the gorilla’s eyes, captured by Ji Young-Bin, which convey a striking contrast of life and tragedy. The photograph blends the symbol of the wild with relics of outdated technology, laying bare the paradox that modern technological advancements are accelerating the extinction of wildlife.
Ji Young-Bin, who collaborated with CTPH’s Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, shared, “My collaboration with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka led me to deeply reflect on the conflict between environmental conservation and human progress. Smartphones symbolize our innovation, but their production destroys gorilla habitats. This photograph is not just art – it’s a call to action for a sustainable future. We must change now so future generations can witness the majesty of gorillas in the wild.”
The video, set to the background music of “Mayday,” juxtaposes the world seen through human eyes of diverse races with the tearful gaze of the last gorilla, prompting profound reflection. It is spreading globally through social media and online platforms, with the support of GORILLA51 Megazine and Ji Young-Bin’s ongoing commitment to gorilla conservation in collaboration with CTPH. The work is also showcased in an online exhibition at www.gorilla51.art, inviting everyone to join this powerful cause.
The project was conceived by chief planner Ji Haesoo, with photography by Ji Young-Bin and filming by expedition cinematographer Kyeho Kim. The music was composed by Jo Woo-Jin, known for working with artists like Hyoshin Park, Tei, and Jiyoung Baek.
This video and photograph go beyond mere art, urging action and prompting reflection on how our daily choices, like using smartphones, impact gorillas in distant Africa. In an AI-driven era, this image poses a question to modern society: How many lives are we willing to sacrifice for our convenience? The gorillas of Bwindi await our answer.
The video leaves it to the world’s eyes to discern truth from falsehood.
“Our Cell Phone, Their Grief: Save the Gorillas.” Join the global campaign to protect gorilla habitats today!
