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Gorillas. So far away geographically, yet so close biologically. Another example of a species being driven to extinction. Two were killed by poachers recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a news article on the Web by Environment News Network (ENN). (By the way, ENN has a nice new front page design and has added some services to an already excellent site.)
Ranger patrols not only have to keep an eye out for poachers, but also must keep an eye out for a much more dangerous species whose name oddly enough sounds just like the species the rangers seek to protect: guerillas. Political unrest in the region (civil war in Rwanda, civil unrest in DRC) make national parks and forest reserves good places to retreat from opposition forces. Park rangers who stumble upon guerillas (while trying to protect gorillas), are in danger of being killed, like the six staff members of Virunga National Park who were killed in 1997. Army escorts don't help. Instead, they attract the attention of the guerillas. As if risking their lives wasn't bad enough, risking it for no pay makes it an even greater sacrifice. Rangers haven't been paid for more than two years, according to ENN. They aren't likely to get paid much or steadily any time soon because the civil unrest has taken a big bite out of tourism, which is what provides the parks with income. For the rangers, the risk of meeting up with guerillas seems likely to continue for some time. For the gorillas, the risk of poaching seems likely to continue for some time too, particularly because income - and food-producing opportunities - are severely limited, and because humanity encroaches on limited mountain habitat. For More Information
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The copyright of the article Gorillas will be Missed in Environment is owned by Kenneth Friedman. Permission to republish Gorillas will be Missed in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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