A project in which the gorillas were guarded around the clock brought results: a count conducted reveals a surprising increase of about 17% in their number. Researchers warn: the gorillas are still in danger of extinction
A recent count among the population of mountain gorillas in three countries in central Africa, identified a surprising increase in the number of individuals. According to the count, the number of gorillas, which are hunted by illegal hunters, has increased by about 17% since 1989. In recent years, conservationists have feared the extinction of the gorillas.
The BBC announced that despite the positive data, researchers fear that the total number of gorillas continues to be only a few hundred - which still puts them at risk of extinction. One of the last concentrations of giant gorillas is located among a chain of volcanoes between the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the years of armed conflicts in the region, the gorillas were easy prey for illegal hunters.
In order to protect the remaining gorillas, the three countries launched an extensive round-the-clock protection program for the animals. The researchers who counted them spent long weeks searching for them in the dense forests of Central Africa. As mentioned, despite the relative increase in their number, a total of 380 gorillas were identified in the entire extensive area.
The African countries have learned to understand that the mountain gorillas are a major attraction for tourists coming to the region. Animal conservation officials have expressed hope that the program to protect the rare animal will continue.
The mountain gorillas came into consciousness following the movie "Gorillas in the Mist" which dealt with the life and death of the researcher Diane Posey who was murdered while researching the rare species.
More gorillas, despite the hunting and fighting
Gorilla in Rwanda. From 324 gorillas in 1989 to 380 in 2003
After years of being hunted almost to extinction, the number of mountain gorillas in central Africa appears to be on the rise. The first survey in 15 years, conducted in the volcanic range located in the territory of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, indicates that the number of mountain gorillas living in the area increased from 324 gorillas in 1989 to 380 in 2003. This despite illegal hunting on a large scale and wars that took place in the region.
Although the number of gorillas is still extremely small, workers at the animal conservation authorities expressed satisfaction with the results of the survey. "Mountain gorillas are endangered, and the increase in their numbers is great news for us and good news for the world," said Fidel Rosigandakwa of the Rwanda National Parks and Tourism Authority.
A series of conflicts in the region - most notably the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the extermination in Rwanda - has prevented any possibility of counting the gorillas since 1989. The current count was made late last year by conservation workers who scoured the area for dung and crushed vegetation, which indicate gorilla tracks.
When tracks were found, the workers followed them through the lush jungles in the mountains in order to find the nests of leaves that the gorillas build for sleeping purposes. The estimation of the number of gorillas was done according to the number of nests and the measurement of the size of the droppings.
Dieter Stecklis, a senior scientist at the Diane Fossey International Gorilla Fund, which helped finance the survey, says that "considering the political conflict in the region, which has lasted for about a decade, it is very impressive that the mountain gorilla population survived well and even managed to grow a little."
