In war-torn Congo, a pleasant surprise
Despite living under constant threats in a deadly war zone, endangered mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park have something to celebrate. Five cubs have been born in recent months, a dramatic success for a population that needs every new life it can get.
The cubs were recently observed by park rangers, who have finally returned to the area after being driven away 15 months ago by rebel forces.
The rangers are conducting a much-needed census of gorilla populations in the area. While the five births are cause for excitement, rangers still don't know how the rest of the population has fared in since rebels seized the area. Only two of seven gorilla family groups known to be in the area have been found so far. The census will continue for another three weeks.
Rangers have quite a task ahead of them. Security remains low, staff have been scattered, communication is difficult, and funding remains an issue.
Still, the fact that rangers are able to operate in the gorilla sector of Virunga National Park at all is a major victory. Here's an important update from the rangers' blog:
The cubs were recently observed by park rangers, who have finally returned to the area after being driven away 15 months ago by rebel forces.
The rangers are conducting a much-needed census of gorilla populations in the area. While the five births are cause for excitement, rangers still don't know how the rest of the population has fared in since rebels seized the area. Only two of seven gorilla family groups known to be in the area have been found so far. The census will continue for another three weeks.
Rangers have quite a task ahead of them. Security remains low, staff have been scattered, communication is difficult, and funding remains an issue.
Still, the fact that rangers are able to operate in the gorilla sector of Virunga National Park at all is a major victory. Here's an important update from the rangers' blog:
At the moment, the Northern and Southern Sectors of the Park are now sufficiently stable for us to be able to launch solid conservation programmes. That isn't to say that these areas aren't threatened. The forest is still being cut down for charcoal, and Mai Mai and FDLR militias remain a threat to our staff. Nevertheless, we have begun to implement our 2009 emergency programme, that focuses on three main areas –You can see video of three of the new cubs here.
1. Improving the working conditions and effectiveness of our rangers
2. Re-establishing stability and the rule of law within the park
3. Addressing the energy crisis (primarily the charcoal problem) through viable alternative energy programmes
This means reorganizing staff, putting effective management systems in place, providing training and equipment, and launching very focused community development programmes. It’s a very ambitious programme, but if we succeed, we hope it will take us off UNESCO’s list of “World Heritage Sites in Danger”.
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