Guest guest Posted October 15, 2002 Report Share Posted October 15, 2002 ***************************Advertisement*************************** TechCentral http://star-techcentral.com ***************************************************************** This message was forwarded to you by yitzeling. Comment from sender: This article is from thestar.com.my URL: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2002/10/15/features/credit1510 & s\ ec=features ________________________ Tuesday, October 15, 2002 Primates in peril By Hilary Chiew GORILLAS are often depicted in the movies as aggressive, fearsome beasts. But beneath that large frame and hairy physique lurks a gentle giant that feeds on leaves and fruit. All gorillas are primarily herbivores, occasionally eating ants or termites when they come across a nest or mound in the forest. <TABLE WIDTH= " 200 " BORDER= " 0 " CELLSPACING= " 0 " CELLPADDING= " 5 " ALIGN= " right " BGCOLOR= " #FFCCCC " > <TR><TD> <b>FACT FILE</b> <b>Distribution</b>Gorillas are endemic to the African continent and live in two geographically distinct regions: western central Africa and eastern central Africa. These regions span the states of Rwanda, Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, Uganda and Angola. <b>Species</b>Primate taxonomists recognise two species: the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei). The western lowland gorilla consists of Gorilla gorilla gorilla and the Cross River subspecies named Gorilla gorilla diehli. The eastern species is made up of Gorilla beringei graueri and its subspecies, Gorilla beringei beringei & #8211; the mountain gorilla. A second subspecies from the Bwindi region is currently being verified. <b>Population</b>According to recent estimates, only 150-200 individuals of the western lowland variety remain in five populations, each isolated on a separate hill area. New evidence indicates that the eastern lowland type have dwindled in just five years from 17,000 to 2,000-3,000 individuals. Estimates for the mountain gorilla stand at 650 animals. <b>Status</b>The World Conservation Union has classified both the western and eastern gorilla as endangered, that is, facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. Three particular populations are categorised as critically endangered, that is, facing extinction in the immediate future. These are the Cross River variety, the mountain gorilla and its subspecies in the Bwindi region. Gorilla researcher Dian Fossey who started the conservation and research programme on mountain gorillas in Rwanda was mysteriously killed in 1985. An account of her life with the gorillas was immortalised in the Hollywood movie Gorilla in the Mist, which became a box office hit in 1987. Her legacy, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, continues to protect the endangered great ape. </TD></TR></TABLE> As one of the four great apes of the world, gorillas have been listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which prohibits international trade in the species, since 1977. The other three great apes are the orangutan, chimpanzee and bonobo (pygmy chimpanzee). Like most wildlife, gorilla populations are severely affected by logging activities. Loss of forest cover means the destruction of gorilla habitats. The network of logging tracks opens up previously inaccessible jungles to gun-totting poachers. A recently concluded study by the United Nations Environment Programme and Unesco & #8211; in a joint initiative called Great Apes Survival Project (Grasp) & #8211; warns that less than 10% of the remaining habitat of the great apes of Africa would be left undisturbed by 2003 if road-building, mining camps and other infrastructure development continues at the present rate. A report titled The Great Apes & #8211; The Road Ahead released at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, highlighted that 28% or some 204,900 sq km of remaining gorilla habitat can be classified as relatively undisturbed. However, should development continue at the present rate, it is estimated that 69,900 sq km or just 10% would be left by 2003. UNEP & #8217;s executive director Klaus Toepfer reckons that protecting the great apes would be the litmus test of whether the world succeeds in its goal to reduce biodiversity loss by 2010. “It is not too late to stop uncontrolled exploitation of these forests. By doing so, we may save not only the great apes but thousands of other species. Saving the great apes is also about saving people. By conserving the great apes, we will also protect the livelihoods of the many people that rely on the forests for food, medicine and clean water,” said Toepfer. In a land ravaged by poverty, gorillas are increasingly being hunted for its meat in Africa, while their young fall prey to the illegal pet trade and eventually find themselves smuggled into zoos and theme parks overseas. Often the protective adults are killed while defending their young from poachers. According to a report from Grasp, while habitat loss has traditionally been regarded as a major threat to gorilla populations, recent concerns revolve around bushmeat or wild meat trade and the impact of civil conflicts on this endangered species. In West Africa, where the western lowland gorillas live, commercial logging and petroleum exploitation have been cited as significant threats to their habitat. “Where new routes are opened up for timber or mineral extraction, exploitation of forest animals for food rises to support the incoming labour force and to export bushmeat to urban markets,” says the report. “War can have the same effect by forcing large numbers of people to abandon their farms and live in the forest where hunting may be necessary for survival or an option to make money.” Even though gorilla meat forms only a small proportion of the bushmeat trade, the impact on ape populations is disproportionately great because of their slow reproductive rate. Females reach reproductive age at around nine, and the spacing between pregnancies is four years apart. As the babies are dependent on maternal care for the first three years, a female gorilla can produce six babies at the most in her lifetime. Such a slow reproductive rate means it takes many years for a population to increase in size and many more to recover from poaching. National laws for control of hunting and capture exist in all countries with gorilla populations but lack of funds and inaccessibility hamper effective enforcement of legislations. In the dry season when food is scarce, gorillas may raid crops, making them easy targets for hunters. In some places, parts of the animal are used for traditional medicine and as charms. Gorillas are also vulnerable to traps set for other animals, and can be maimed or killed by these snares, even in areas where gorilla meat is not eaten. <p> ________________________ Your one-stop information portal: The Star Online http://thestar.com.my http://biz.thestar.com.my http://classifieds.thestar.com.my http://cards.thestar.com.my http://search.thestar.com.my http://star-motoring.com http://star-space.com http://star-jobs.com http://star-ecentral.com http://star-techcentral.com 1995-2002 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.