Three African countries unite to save endangered gorillas
Wednesday, 20 Feb 2008 12:33
Gorillas in the jungles of DR Congo, Rwanda and Uganda will have greater protection
Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have joined together to help protect endangered mountain gorillas.
The collaborative project - the first of its kind - will seek to prevent poaching and destruction of their habitat.
About 700 mountain gorillas are left in the wild, about half of which live in the Virunga Volcanoes Conservation Area, shared by DRC, Rwanda and Uganda.
The area drew international attention last year when at least eight gorillas were killed.
Further concern was raised after rebel forces seized territories in DRC in September, forcing rangers to flee and preventing them from patrolling the area to protect the gorillas.
The ten-year project announced today in Kampala will focus on communities affecting life in Virunga and preventing poaching.
"For the first time, the three countries have decided to protect the great apes which are threatened with extinction and insecurity in the region," said Moses Mapesa, the head of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The first four years of the project will be funded by the Dutch government at a cost of £3.1 million.