|
Virunga National Park, Congo –
One silverback male and three
female mountain gorillas have been killed this week in the
Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC).
The bodies were discovered in the southern sector of the park by
local rangers. All four
mountain gorillas
were shot, but it is unclear who killed them and why. Post
mortem examinations are currently being carried out.
“We are deeply concerned about this incident which follows more
than 20 years of successful collaboration for mountain gorilla
conservation,” said Mark Rose, Chief Executive of Fauna & Flora
International.
Fauna & Flora International, together with WWF and the African
Wildlife Foundation, are part of the
International Gorilla Conservation Programme,
a partnership that works to ensure the conservation of mountain
gorillas and their forest habitat in Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC.
The DRC’s Virunga National Park — bordering Rwanda’s Volcano
National Park to the south and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park —
is characterized by largely unspoiled tropical montane forests
that are extremely rich in biological diversity.
Despite its protected status, encroachment for farming and
settlement, as well as by warring rebel factions, is leading to
uncontrolled exploitation of the natural resource base, as well
as wildlife poaching.
Earlier this year two silverback male gorillas and a female
gorilla were shot dead in the park.
According to WWF, just over 700 mountain gorillas survive in the
wild; more than 150 of them in Virunga National Park.
“Just two months ago, we celebrated the increase of the gorilla
population in neighbouring Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National
Park,” said Dr Kwame Koranteng, Regional Representative of WWF's
Eastern Africa Regional Programme Office.
“Seven gorillas killed in seven months is a horrifying statistic
and a trend that cannot continue,” he added.
Congolese wildlife authorities, with support from the army, are
stepping up patrols within the Virunga National Park to protect
the mountain gorilla population. Guard posts are being
constructed to provide 24-hour surveillance.
For further information:
Kimunya Mugo, Communications Manager
WWF Eastern Africa Regional Programme Office
Tel: +254 20 387 26 30/31
E-mail: kmugo@wwfearpo.org
|
