DRC: Gorilla population soars despite war

  1. Posted on Tuesday 27 January 2009 - 10:45
    accreporter
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    Kent Mensah, AfricaNews editor Photo: ICCN
    The population of Gorillas in the Virunga National Park of DR Congo has increased by 12.5%. The park now has 81 gorillas as at January 2009 as against 72 in August 2007, results of an eight-week census carried out by the Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN) revealed. DRC now has a total of 211 gorillas.
    Gorilla Photo: ICCN
    A press statement from ICCN to AfricaNews stated that more than 50 rangers from the ICCN conducted over 128 patrols during the period. They identified six gorilla families in Mikeno and three solitary silverbacks. It is the first census to be completed by the park's wildlife rangers since rebel troops seized control of the area in August 2007.

    The worldwide population of Mountain Gorillas is believed to be 720, all of them living in the conflict-affected area between DR Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.

    The statement added: “The status of Virunga's Mountain Gorillas is a triumph for conservation, and is the product of 15 years' effort and sacrifice on the part of Congo's Rangers, of the consistent support from international organizations and individuals, and of the sustained determination of 3 African nations to protect this globally important species.”

    “Mountain Gorilla family structures change with each birth, death, interaction and migration. The Kabirizi family, our largest gorilla group with 33 individuals, has 5 newborns which is wonderful news. But we are still hoping to locate the 2 gorillas from this same family that we have not yet seen," said ICCN Gorilla Monitoring Head Innocent Mburanumwe.

    The Rangers did not report any evidence of gorilla mortality, although 536 snares laid by poachers were found and removed, the statement added.

    Intense conflict in the east of DR Congo has threatened the lives of Mountain Gorillas of Virunga. Some 1,100 Park Rangers protect the National Parks of Eastern Congo.

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