Mountain gorilla census on
Oct 06, 2003
THE national park authorities of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have announced that they a census of the Virunga Volcano mountain gorilla population. The census which began at the end of September, will continue into October 2003.
THE national park authorities of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have announced that they a census of the Virunga Volcano mountain gorilla population. The census which began at the end of September, will continue into October 2003.
Due to the insecurity in the area, no census has been carried out since 1989, when the gorilla population was estimated at 320. With the improved security and the close collaboration of conservation organisations in the three countries, authorities are now able to carry out a complete count of the gorilla population.
The Virunga mountain gorillas were made famous by Dian Fossey in the Hollywood movie “Gorillas in the Mist,†and a unique gorilla eco-tourism programme. Countless wildlife documentaries and the conservation initiatives have highlighted the plight of the gorilla population.
During the 1990s the gorilla habitat was threatened by the impact of wars, civil strife and large movements of refugees. Several gorillas are known to have been killed as a result of these conflict.
An analysis made in 2000 from records of known groups and patrol rangers estimated the gorilla population at least 360. The upcoming census is an important opportunity to make a complete, reliable count of the population and find out how well the population has survived this period of unrest.
Such monitoring is vital in understanding the long-term viability of population of these endangered animals.
The Virunga mountain gorillas are found in the three adjacent national parks covering the Virunga Volcanoes range along the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
The gorilla census will be carried out by the Office Rwandais de Tourisme et Parc Nationaux, the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, with the support of many the international organisations interested in gorilla conservation.
A team of 100 are currently participating in the census.
Due to the insecurity in the area, no census has been carried out since 1989, when the gorilla population was estimated at 320. With the improved security and the close collaboration of conservation organisations in the three countries, authorities are now able to carry out a complete count of the gorilla population.
The Virunga mountain gorillas were made famous by Dian Fossey in the Hollywood movie “Gorillas in the Mist,†and a unique gorilla eco-tourism programme. Countless wildlife documentaries and the conservation initiatives have highlighted the plight of the gorilla population.
During the 1990s the gorilla habitat was threatened by the impact of wars, civil strife and large movements of refugees. Several gorillas are known to have been killed as a result of these conflict.
An analysis made in 2000 from records of known groups and patrol rangers estimated the gorilla population at least 360. The upcoming census is an important opportunity to make a complete, reliable count of the population and find out how well the population has survived this period of unrest.
Such monitoring is vital in understanding the long-term viability of population of these endangered animals.
The Virunga mountain gorillas are found in the three adjacent national parks covering the Virunga Volcanoes range along the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
The gorilla census will be carried out by the Office Rwandais de Tourisme et Parc Nationaux, the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, with the support of many the international organisations interested in gorilla conservation.
A team of 100 are currently participating in the census.