Rise in number of rare mountain gorillas

Despite the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), conservationists report an increase in the population of the highly endangered mountain gorillas. According to a joint press release by the African Wildlife Foundation, the Worldwide Fund for Nature, and Fauna and Flora International, the number of mountain gorillas in the Virunga region of eastern DRC has risen by over 10 percent. Monitoring data provided by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund-International (DFGF-I) indicate that the population has increased from 320 individuals in 1989 to at least 355 currently. "This success proves that even in a region where everyone has focused on the conflict and crises, there is hope," said IGCP director Annette Lanjouw in Nairobi. "There is a future for both people and wildlife when people work together despite political differences." Conservationists stress the increase can be directly attributed to the sheer dedication of field staff whose work has limited damage to the habitat of gorillas. The Virunga mountain range, which straddles the borders of DRC, Rwanda and Uganda, has been used as a theatre of operations between militia groups such as the Rwandan Interahamwe and Rwandan army soldiers who are pursuing them. Furthermore, thousands of displaced civilians have sought refuge in the mountains. About 15 gorillas are known to have been killed as a direct consequence of the war, the press release said. It warned that despite the positive trends, more work was needed to secure the long-term protection of the forests and their gorilla population. "Widespread poverty and continued violence, as well as habitat encroachment, poaching and lack of resources for conservation are still tangible threats," the press release stated. The total world population of about 650 mountain gorillas is concentrated in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The gorillas are divided into two populations, with one living in the Virungas and the other in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of western Uganda.