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solonavi 6 August 2007 Endangered & Extinction 1,285 views 2 Comments Print This Post  Email This Post

WWF

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.

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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.

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“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.

 

The four dead gorillas laid out on the ground. Virunga National Park, DRC.
© Altor IGCP Goma