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Cell Phones Are Killing Off Gorillas

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http://www.kfmb.com/features/consumer_alert/story.php?id=28229

How Cell Phones Are Killing Off Gorillas

 

Last Updated:

11-09-05 at 6:02PM

 

You would never assume that your cell phone could be connected to

gorillas in the Congo, but a shocking new report says cell phones

could be partly to blame for the deaths of hundreds of gorillas. If

you love animals, and can't get enough of the gorillas at the zoo,

this is information you need to know. Our cell phone boom is turning

into a gorilla bust.

 

It's something many of us simply don't want to live without. But it

turns out this modern convenience has a direct connection to gorillas

dying in Africa.

 

" There's a component in cell phones made from what's called coltan...

Mined in Central Africa, " Kim Livingstone with the San Diego Zoo said.

 

According to Livingstone, coltan is a metallic ore used in cell phones

and other electronics.

 

It's found in mountain gorilla habitat in the Congo, and sadly coltan

mining has cut the gorilla population in half.

 

" A lot is now being done illegally, because the price of the coltan

has gone way up now that the native people know it's in demand, "

Livingstone said.

 

" They're killing animals in the area and creating what's called `bush

meat' and they're selling that meat or eating it themselves, " she added.

 

So what can you do to help the animals survive? The zoo says it's

simple – don't throw away your old cell phone. Recycle it.

 

A company known as Eco-cell is working with Zoo Atlanta. For every

cell phone turned in to the zoo, Eco-cell is making a donation to the

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Fossey died in 1985, trying to protect

mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

 

With so much personality and spunk, these animals can't help but make

us smile. Now they just need a small favor in return.

 

The San Diego Zoo tells us it's in the process of creating a cell

phone recycling program. In the meantime, you can mail your old phone

to Zoo Atlanta, and a contribution will be made to the Dian Fossey

Gorilla Fund.

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