Three countries have come together for the first time, to try to save the remaining 700 mountain gorillas of central Africa, BBC online reports Wednesday.
Rwanda, the DR Congo and Uganda have launched a 10 year conservation project to improve security for the great apes. The first four years of the project are being funded by the Dutch government at a cost of 6 million US dollar (ca. 30 mio. DKR).
One of the worlds most endangered species, they live at the point where the three countries meet. Their 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 DR Congo are the heartland of these great apes. A census carried out in 2004 estimated that 380 mountain gorillas lived in the Virunga national park and surrounding region. More than 300 live in southwest Ugandas Bwindi Impenetrable Forest reserve.
More recently, rebel forces loyal to the dissident Congolese general Laurent Nkunda, took over large areas of the Virunga park, forcing out the rangers and leaving the gorillas vulnerable to poachers.
Tourists pay 500 dollar (2.500 DKR) each for a permit to track the animals, raising 5 million dollar annually for the three countries. The conservation project is to focus on greater security and ways of discouraging local communities from destroying the regions forests.
It aims to give locals a share of the money made from gorilla-trekking permits.
