This year remained dismal for 3 out of the 4 remaining gorilla species.
Mountain gorillas now number only 700.
Plenty Magazine’s Extinction Blog notes that the year entailed
the declaration of these species as endangered.
According to the post, only 700 mountain gorillas remain, with only
300 Cross River and 5,000 Eastern Lowland gorillas left.
The fourth, the Western Lowland gorilla, remains critically endangered
with a higher population, approximately 150,000.
Why all of this at once, and what, if anything, is being done about it?
Some reasons:
- Africa’s bushmeat industry
- Poaching
- Deforestation due to the logging and charcoal industries
- Disease
The UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),
in partnership with UNEP and UNESCO’s Great Ape Survival Partnership
(GRASP) program and the World Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (WAZA), have jointly declared 2009
Year of the Gorilla (YoG).
The three organizations will together fund research and awareness
campaigns. Moreover, the 10 gorilla-populated regions will be
reviewing their anti-poaching laws for greater efficacy.
We will certainly be watching.
For more information:
Disappearing Act: Don't Let Our Endangered Species Slip Away. 