6th July 2008

Silverback Gorillas Have It Rougher Than You Think

Silverback gorillas have it rough in the Congo.  Dian Fossey brought awareness to the plight of the silverback gorilla 30 years ago.  Her story was told in Gorillas in the Mist, where Sigourney Weaver portrayed her life and demise.  I watched this movie a few months ago for the nth time.  I’ve watched it several times, but for some reason this  movie always brings me to tears every time I watch it.  Her work continues through The Gorilla Fund, and through other wildlife efforts. 

Tonight, a repeat episode by Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes was featured, with an update about how the park rangers in Congo have not had access to the silverback gorillas for over three months now.  The fate of 200 silverback gorillas is not known.  Several gorillas had been shot, execution style, two of which were mothers.  So what’s the reason for killing these gorillas?  In Dian’s story, gorilla parts were taken by poachers for illegal sale in the market.  Others might go to zoos, for up to $5,000 or more.  What about in this area - why are they killing silverback gorillas?

It’s for charcoal - believe it or not.  Locals go into the forest, previously protected by the park rangers, and burn ancient trees for charcoal, which is then used to cook food.  If silverbacks are in the area, perhaps fear of the gorillas initiates the desire to kill them.  Orphaned gorillas were left behind.  One baby gorilla was found clinging to her mom’s corpse.  Vetinarians are still trying to revive these orphans to replace the mother’s milk.

The Dian Fossey Website - Congo Crisis Update

Story featured on MSNBC - where two silverbacks were killed in 2007

UK Telegraph reference to story on silverback gorillas

See Wildlife Direct for updates on the gorillas in Congo

Why should you care about the silverback gorilla?  There are only 700 or so left in the world.  Imagine that 200 or so are in the park in Congo where rangers have not been able to protect for three or more months.  Ten had been killed when CBS first featured the story in December 2007. 

For blog updates - visit the WildlifeDirect Gorillas page

I guess the story was recently aired on NatGeo, however, here is the link referencing the premiere of the gorilla story.

I’ll continue to follow this story online.

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