Mountain Gorilla Numbers Up 17% (!) In Central African Border Region

[hatrack]

KIGALI, Rwanda - "The number of mountain gorillas roaming forests shared by Rwanda, Uganda and Congo has risen in recent years in a sign of hope for one of the world's most endangered species, a census showed yesterday. Trackers prevented from conducting their research for years by war said the population of the majestic apes in the Virunga volcano chain had risen to 380 from 324 when the last census was completed 15 years ago.

"The census was conducted by six teams traversing the entire gorilla habitat range, searching for fresh signs of gorilla groups," said a joint statement from Rwanda, Uganda and Congo issued by Rwanda's tourism promotion office Monday. "Each gorilla makes a fresh nest to sleep in each night, and these are used to establish the number of gorillas in each group," the statement said.

Conservationists say mountain gorillas are only found on the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they are confined to two forest blocks some 45 km (28 miles) apart. The census published Monday covered the habitat shared by the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, the Volcano National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in Congo."

EDIT

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/23513/story.htm

[blindpig]

1. very good news, indeed n/t

[hlthe2b]

2. Exceptional!

Maybe one higher primate has a chance of survival...