I was trying to think about how to briefly write about the civil unrest in many parts of Central Africa and the toll it takes on not only the wildlife, but the stability of human communities, the setbacks in economic developments, the cultural divides. The tragedies which unfold in countries under conflict. But, we are a zoo and focused on wildlife so let’s try not to stray too much from the path.
There are people in this world that are wildlife heroes beyond our comprehension. They stand behind their beliefs in the face of incredible danger and some even die protecting the wildlife they have dedicated themselves to. Not only in Africa, but with gorillas as the focus, let’s stay in Africa for now.
I was reading a new book recently: Mountain Gorillas: Biology, Conservation and Coexistence. I went back to look for some material and on the first page is a dedication to the men and women of the Protected Area Authority (and I quote directly) “organizations in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the field staff from the Karisoke Research Center who lost their lives while protecting the areas gorillas…” The names to date are listed and I stopped counting at 138. The wars and conflict continue and the loss of human life unfortunately continues. These dedicated people fight the war for wildlife on our behalves. They are rangers, scouts, camp staff, anti-poaching units and many more. In other countries we support Rhino Protection Units, Elephant Conservation Units and similar groups who want nothing more than to protect their natural resources.
In this case, that natural resource is the gorilla. Not at odds with humans but living on the landscape we have moved onto, people have forced a conflict onto the gorillas and yet we are the only ones that at the same time can protect them. The Rwandan genocide in 1994 killed nearly 800,000 people in three months forcing refugees to move across borders and into the Congo by the millions. The economy in shambles, political instability, people trying to survive and the forests and wildlife became an invaluable resource. Yet the gorillas hung on in the mountains of Rwanda and Uganda. Today the Democratic Republic of Congo, home to Eastern Lowland Gorillas, is once again caught in civil unrest. Yet the population is hanging on but this time just barely with numbers plummeting to only 5,000 individuals.
This blog is rambling a bit longer than usual but the point is there are people in this world that are fighting a war but on the side of wildlife. They are heroes in the truest sense of the word. The gorilla is now a natural resource; it has to be to survive. In 10 short years, Rwanda has climbed out of their tragic past and turned the viewing of these gentle animals into an economically viable venture. They, for once, are more valuable alive than dead in the marketplace. It has come to this to protect the gorilla in Rwanda and Uganda. In the rest of the countries, we depend on the dedicated rangers to protect the gorilla until their countries are strong enough to follow the Mountain Gorillas lead in being more than a natural resource; a international asset.
Tomorrow’s Blog: A Final Thought on Gorilla Conservation
The Houston Zoo is hosting Dr. Michael Cranfield, Executive Director of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project as part of our Call of the Wild Lecture Series September 10th, 20009. Please go to http://www.houstonzoo.org/lectureseries/ for ticket information.
This is part 9/10 in our Mountain Gorilla Membership Giveaway. Post a comment here and on 2 other mountain gorilla blogs to enter to win a free membership.
Looks great!
This is very moving. I cannot beileve that after all the attempts on gorilla conservation that today there is still a strong threat to gorillas and the brave people who are trying to preserve gorillas. My prayers go out to the rangers who are helping us keep gorillas safe.
Very interesting. I had never thought about the effects war has on animals.
This is an inspiring article. Not only are people effected by war but the animals in that area as well. I believe we need to find a better way to co-habitat with animals. For the most part, they were there first and we are the ones invading their space.
My heart goes out to the people who are fighting the war for wildlife. This article is very motivating and let’s people know what war does to not only the people, but also the wildlife. Thanks so much.
can’t believe even after movies like Gorrillas in the mist and other popular media, gorillas are still in danger. Why can’t we ever learn to respect and save wildlife?
This article is awesome. Usually in our busy everyday life we never think about such things happening around the world with these animals. I loved this article!
great resource!
WOW!!! This was a very moving blog. Thank you so much for bring this information to those of us who may have been blind to the rest of the worlds struggles.
This is very touching. Thank you for posting it.
Very moving posts – it’s very sad to think how wide-spread the consequences of war are.
It is a brutal situation. The people and the gorillas are in the same boat in that they are both struggling for survival. Unfortunately, people adapt faster to new environments and do not always think how their actions effect the habitat around them. It seems to me that the primary way for Gorillas to make it is for the local governments to get that they are worth money alive to lure tourists. This also means these governments have to provide a safe and inviting place for tourists. I am sorry for those who have lost their lives fighting for wildlife but i am admire them and am grateful for their dedication and ultmate sacrifice
My prayers go out to the families of the victims. During war time, its easy to forget that wildlife is also affected. This blog has opened up my eyes to these majestic animals and I am glad to see someone writing about this and teach everyone about what we can do.
It’s heartbreaking to visualize the actual plight of gorillas especially during a time of war and unrest. Human beings can seem so “selfish” in that they forget how they affect other living beings and the environment. Then there are the “selfless” individuals who bear the brunt of those who cannot properly fend for themselves. I have a hard time calling those who dedicate and risk their lives as “brave” because I feel that word is too simple and small for what they do/did/and have done.
While it is a tragedy that people have had to die, it is such an amazing testament to people’s dedication that they are willing to fight for, and stand up for a cause greater than oneself. I am glad that the tide seems to be turning and that people are finally starting to realize how important not just Gorillas are, but all wildlife, throughout the globe.
It seems as though the gorillas are under attack on two fronts. One of them is deliberate and intentional: that is, poachers or hunters pursuing the gorillas and trying to kill them for profit. This is how the brave men and women of the Protected Area Authority, the Karisoke Research Center, and conservation organizations in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo lost their lives, by fighting on behalf of the gorillas in this war.
However, the gorillas are also under pressure on another front: an unintentional one, created by refugees and settlers trying to set up homesteads (or simply survive) in areas where gorillas already live. Even if these refugees are not trying to harm the gorillas, the habitat loss and instability they create causes another type of strain. For me, this is a powerful argument for peace: guaranteeing stability in these regions means that people can continue to live in the areas where they have always lived, sustainably, or at least less destructively than they must do if they have to flee their land and blanket areas occupied by wildlife. In this sense, diplomacy can be an important part of conservation, simply by allowing wilderness to remain wild and free.
Thought provoking.
How sad that humans had to give their lives while protecting such a creature. It is such a struggle to think about what is happening to these creatures…people intentionally killing them, and what is happening just by people trying to survive.