Guest guest Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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