ONLY 600 LEFT IN THE WORLD

These are restricted to a small volcanic area in just three countries in central Africa. (WWF)

PLEASE HELP US TO SAVE THE REMAINING GORILLAS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

Many of you have seen the film, “Gorillas in the Mist” about Dian Fossey – the American lady, who in spite of ailing health made it her life’s ambition to look after her beloved Gorillas of the Virungas, a mountain range along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo.

Discovered only in 1902, the Mountain Gorillas live only in the Mountain Rain Forest of Central Africa about 300 in the Virunga Volcano Conservation and another 300 in the Bwindi National Park in Uganda. They all live in their natural habitat, as they wouldn’t survive more than a few months away from their close family groups.

Females usually conceive between 8 – 9 years – with first baby being born at 10. Pregnancy lasts about 8.5 months. The young suckle as long as mother lets them. They live to about 50 years. Silver back may weight up to 200 kilos twice as much as a female and 3 times as much as a human being. They are social animals and live in close family groups of between 5 and 40. They are herbivores. An adult can consume up to 30 kilos of food each day. They are threatened by poaching and loss of habitat. No mountain gorilla has survived in captivity for more than a few years. Human viruses such as flu can kill gorillas.

At present, there is civil war in the Congo, and as many Rangers are being killed by Zairian soldiers who are well equipped. The civil war has left many people desperate for food, and in 2000, there are many reports of gorillas being hunted for bush meat. The gorillas also get caught in traps set for antelope and duiker.

My plea is to hurry up and save the remaining Mountain Gorillas – they need our urgent help. They are being poached to death for their feet and hands. Poachers shoot them up in the trees and as they topple they spear them when alive and capture the traumatized infants who are then sold to circuses and Zoos. WE MUST STOP THIS TRADE.

The rangers who patrol the Virunga Volcanoes today, ensuring the safety of the world’s few remaining mountain gorilla, are dedicated conservationists who understand the forest and the gorillas better than most. They prize their jobs as guardians of such rare world heritage and regularly risk their lives to protect it. Few are ever paid. (The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund). It is up to us, as caretakers of the Earth, to fund the Rangers in their work.