Congo Battles Gorilla Pet Trade

World's only sanctuary for orphaned gorillas seeks to boost tourist numbers

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 28, 2009 8:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – Conservationists trying to save the Republic of Congo's gorillas are fighting to protect the primates from poachers and the pet trade, the Daily Telegraph reports. One foundation, which warns that the gorilla population will be half what it is now by 2020 at the current... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

2 comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

'Serpent Pastor' Dies of Snake Bite

Miami Face-Eater Identified

Telegraph (UK) (Source Grid »)

Foundation finds island reserve for rescued gorillas
Wildlife Extra

Rangers struggle to save mountain gorillas
Christian Science Monitor

World • Green

endangered species • Democratic Republic of Congo • gorilla • Western Lowland Gorilla • primates

More Newser Stories

Huge Gorilla Population Found in Congo

125,000 endangered primates located in northern Congo Republic

(NEWSER) - As recently as last year, the western lowland gorilla was listed as one of the world's most critically endangered primate species, nearly wiped out by the Ebola virus. But an arduous survey has revealed that 125,000 gorillas are living in the northern Congo Republic, deep in a swampy region rarely visited by humans. "This is the light of hope you look for," one conservationist told the New York Times. More»

'Charity App' Helps Gorillas

iGorilla lets users track Congo animals

(NEWSER) - A new application for iPhones and iPads lets users use their gadgets to help save Congo's critically endangered population of mountain gorillas. The iGorilla app makes it possible for users to follow gorilla families around remote areas of the war-torn country with updates from the rangers at Virunga National Park, home to roughly 200 of the world's 720 remaining mountain gorillas. Most of the app's $4 cost goes toward helping rangers protect the primates from poachers, the BBC reports. More»

Half of All Primates Endangered

Deforestation, hunting threaten man's closest kin

(NEWSER) - Nearly half of all primate species on the planet are in danger of extinction, warns a shocking report by a world conservation organization. Destruction of tropical forests, illegal wildlife trade and commercial bush meat hunting are the key threats to man's closest relatives, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. More»

Mountain Gorillas Take Fight to Survive Online

Ugandan animals' advocates embrace social networking

(NEWSER) - Not only can your online buddies be any age and in any location, they don't even have to be your species. Tech-savvy advocates of the endangered mountain gorilla are about to launch an umbrella site, friendagorilla.org, that will feature videos, social networking, and blogs—by park rangers, not gorillas. The first-of-its-kind effort is based at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, home to 370 animals, about half of the planet's remaining population of mountain gorillas. More»

Amid Congo's Violence, a Gorilla 'Baby Boom'

Population of tame gorillas up 12.5%

(NEWSER) - The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen unspeakable violence, but one population has managed to thrive: the endangered mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. The population of gorillas considered tame grew to 81 from 72 over the past year, Bloomberg reports. The gorilla population has boomed even as rangers entrusted with protecting them have been forced to flee the deadly conflict between rebel forces and the Congolese army. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Congo Battles Gorilla Pet Trade

World's only sanctuary for orphaned gorillas seeks to boost tourist numbers

endangered species • Democratic Republic of Congo • gorilla • Western Lowland Gorilla • primates

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Huge Gorilla Population Found in Congo

125,000 endangered primates located in northern Congo Republic

'Charity App' Helps Gorillas

iGorilla lets users track Congo animals

Half of All Primates Endangered

Deforestation, hunting threaten man's closest kin

Mountain Gorillas Take Fight to Survive Online

Ugandan animals' advocates embrace social networking

Amid Congo's Violence, a Gorilla 'Baby Boom'

Population of tame gorillas up 12.5%

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?