Rare Cooperation To Save Gorillas

Refuge51 · 02-20-2008, 06:16 AM

Rare cooperation to save gorillas
Rangers standing next to dead gorillas (Image: Altor IGCP Goma)
The slaughter of mountain gorillas in 2007 shocked the world
Three countries have come together for the first time, to try to save the mountain gorillas of central Africa.
BBC NEWS | Africa | Rare cooperation to save gorillas

Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have launched a project to improve security for the great apes.

One of the world's most endangered species, they live at the point where the three countries meet.

There are only about 700 gorillas still left in the world. Numbers have been badly affected by poaching.

They have also been hit by the deadly ebola virus and the destruction of the mountain forests - their natural habitat.

The volcanic Virunga mountains that straddle Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the heartland of these great apes.

Map

Diary: Protecting gorillas

A census carried out in 2004 estimated that 380 mountain gorillas, more than half of the world's population, lived in the Virunga national park and surrounding region.

More than 300 also live in southwest Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest reserve.

They are often poached for bush meat. Last July, five gorillas were killed - shot dead execution style - inside the Virunga national park.

More recently, rebel forces loyal to the dissident Congolese general Laurent Nkunda, took over large areas of the park, forcing out the rangers and leaving the gorillas vulnerable to poachers.

For the first time, the three countries have decided to protect the great apes which are threatened with extinction
Moses Mapesa, Uganda Wildlife Authority

The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Kampala says the wildlife authorities of all three countries are well aware of how important the gorillas are as they represent an important revenue earner.

Tourists pay $500 each for a permit to track the animals, raising $5m annually for the three countries.

The 10-year conservation project, which was launched in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, is to focus on greater security and ways of discouraging local communities from destroying the region's forests.

It aims to give them a share of the money made from gorilla-trekking permits.

"For the first time, the three countries have decided to protect the great apes which are threatened with extinction and insecurity in the region," Moses Mapesa, the head of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, told a news conference at the launch of the project.

The first four years of the project are being funded by the Dutch government at a cost of $6m.

gorillamom · 02-20-2008, 11:56 AM

I'm glad to see come unity as far as making sure these gorillas are safe. Lets hope this works and continues to work. Africa is such an unstable continent to begin with. My worry is the lack of genetic diversity in the Mountain Gorillas. Only nature will have the final say in the long run, unless mankind pulls his shit again.

Sean · 02-20-2008, 02:54 PM

Yay!

Hi GM

gorillamom · 02-20-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

Yay!

Hi GM

Hi. I'm on and off here. Been sick. I'm going to start a thread about flu shots. That's how I got sick and I didn't get the shot, but everyone around me did and they got sick from the shot and gave it to me.

W.M.DEEEZ · 02-20-2008, 04:08 PM

God, I hate those pics. That's why I stay away from these threads.

I remember hearing about this. Very sad indeed.

I hope this supposed cooperation does some good.

02-20-2008, 06:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Refuge51 animal lover Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Around Here Posts: 1,892 My Mood: Thanks: 115 Thanked 52 Times in 33 Posts	Rare Cooperation To Save Gorillas Rare cooperation to save gorillas Rangers standing next to dead gorillas (Image: Altor IGCP Goma) The slaughter of mountain gorillas in 2007 shocked the world Three countries have come together for the first time, to try to save the mountain gorillas of central Africa. BBC NEWS \| Africa \| Rare cooperation to save gorillas Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have launched a project to improve security for the great apes. One of the world's most endangered species, they live at the point where the three countries meet. There are only about 700 gorillas still left in the world. Numbers have been badly affected by poaching. They have also been hit by the deadly ebola virus and the destruction of the mountain forests - their natural habitat. The volcanic Virunga mountains that straddle Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the heartland of these great apes. Map Diary: Protecting gorillas A census carried out in 2004 estimated that 380 mountain gorillas, more than half of the world's population, lived in the Virunga national park and surrounding region. More than 300 also live in southwest Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest reserve. They are often poached for bush meat. Last July, five gorillas were killed - shot dead execution style - inside the Virunga national park. More recently, rebel forces loyal to the dissident Congolese general Laurent Nkunda, took over large areas of the park, forcing out the rangers and leaving the gorillas vulnerable to poachers. For the first time, the three countries have decided to protect the great apes which are threatened with extinction Moses Mapesa, Uganda Wildlife Authority The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Kampala says the wildlife authorities of all three countries are well aware of how important the gorillas are as they represent an important revenue earner. Tourists pay $500 each for a permit to track the animals, raising $5m annually for the three countries. The 10-year conservation project, which was launched in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, is to focus on greater security and ways of discouraging local communities from destroying the region's forests. It aims to give them a share of the money made from gorilla-trekking permits. "For the first time, the three countries have decided to protect the great apes which are threatened with extinction and insecurity in the region," Moses Mapesa, the head of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, told a news conference at the launch of the project. The first four years of the project are being funded by the Dutch government at a cost of $6m. Last edited by Refuge51; 02-20-2008 at 06:23 AM.
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02-20-2008, 11:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
gorillamom Beyond Liberal Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 2,153 My Mood: Thanks: 47 Thanked 13 Times in 7 Posts	I'm glad to see come unity as far as making sure these gorillas are safe. Lets hope this works and continues to work. Africa is such an unstable continent to begin with. My worry is the lack of genetic diversity in the Mountain Gorillas. Only nature will have the final say in the long run, unless mankind pulls his shit again. __________________ The Clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power, To tell just when the hands will stop On what day or what hour. Now is the only time we have, So live it with a will, Don't wait until tomorrow, The hands may then be still.
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02-20-2008, 02:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sean Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Austin, Texas...ya'll Posts: 1,552 My Mood: Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 21 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	Yay! Hi GM
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02-20-2008, 04:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
W.M.DEEEZ I don't exist either Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 7 Thanked 57 Times in 40 Posts	God, I hate those pics. That's why I stay away from these threads. I remember hearing about this. Very sad indeed. I hope this supposed cooperation does some good. __________________ Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got til it's gone
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