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125,000 Gorillas discovered in Congo
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by chowdawg | August 5, 2008 at 11:16 am
869 views | 19 Recommendations | 10 comments
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Researchers reported today that they have discovered 125,000 western lowland gorillas in the Republic of Congo, putting the estimated world population at between 175,000 and 225,000. Exact population figures are difficult to determine because the animals are extremely reclusive and shy, making it difficult to count them individually. Population estimates are worked out by counting the sleeping "nests" that the gorillas make.
The Wildlife Conservation Society, based at New York's Bronx Zoo, and the Republic of Congo said their census counted the newly discovered gorillas in two areas of the northern part of the country covering 18,000 square miles.
"This is a very significant discovery because of the terrible decline in population of these magnificent creatures to Ebola and bush meat," said Emma Stokes, one of the research team.
Craig Stanford, professor of anthropology and biology at the University of Southern California, said he is aware of the new study.
"If these new census results are confirmed, they are incredibly important and exciting, the kind of good news we rarely find in the conservation of highly endangered animals."
He added that independent confirmation will be valuable because nest counts vary depending on the specific census method used.
Western lowland gorillas are one of four gorilla subspecies, which also include mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas and Cross River gorillas. All are labeled either endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
While calling the new census important, Stokes said it does not mean gorilla numbers in the wild are now safe.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (10)
at 12:01 on August 5th, 2008
chowdawg, I like this story. It's good stuff. That's good news! The late Guy the Gorilla was number 1 most popular attraction at London Zoo for many years. Gorillas are our very close relatives and it is nice they are being preserved..
at 12:17 on August 5th, 2008
Thanks Christina 123. I thought it was a cool story. Amazing that we still know so little about them and glad this time that it was good news.
at 12:24 on August 5th, 2008
This is excellent news! Good story!
at 22:01 on August 5th, 2008
chowdawg, I like this story. It's good stuff. Dian Fossey researched and studied the gorilla for 20 years and gave her life to the cause. the gorillas as well as humankind owe much to the courage of biologists such as fossey.
at 03:46 on August 6th, 2008
will post story later...
Down by law has contributed a photo to this story.
at 06:40 on August 6th, 2008
That a single find doubles the estimated population of these gorillas just points out how tenuous their existence is. Also, I wonder how they'll get counted, since the original estimate is based on the number of nests, and gorillas can build more than one nest, I think.
Thanks for posting this- it's a great story.
at 08:16 on August 6th, 2008
chowdawg, I like this story. It's good stuff. Quite a discovery. Imagine the other discoveries places like this could hold. Hopefully they will not be hunted or habitats destroyed now.
at 16:15 on August 6th, 2008
I was very happy to see this story and more than willing to contribute these photos. That was part of the objective when I posted these in the first place. Opening peoples eyes to things they may never have known or seen on their own.
These photos were taken on a trip through the DNC and Uganda. I was simply amazed and in awe of how peaceful yet confident these beautiful gorillas were. I was able to get pretty close to the lead silverback in this group and even had the opportunity to see a very young baby riding on its mother's back. It was great to see the whole family flourishing. I hope that pictures like these make people aware of how important it is to put an end to the illegal charcoal harvesting/trade that is threatening this great species.
Enjoy, share, learn and act.
champagnepowdr has contributed a photo to this story.
at 04:32 on August 8th, 2008
I was on a very rushed business trip when I read about this discovery. I thought theese were amazing good news and couldn't help to remember the gorilla families I saw at the Bronx Zoo.
That was my first experience with gorillas, and I spent two fascinating hours watching at their interaction and behaviour. They are beautiful, intelligent creatures, and I can't really understand how people can harm them. To know that more than 100 K gorillas have been found are great news!
at 08:18 on August 20th, 2008
This is fantastic news. I saw the mountain gorillas a couple of years ago in the Virunga national park in the DMC and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I consider myself very priviledged to have seen them - they are just incredible!
Miss JB has contributed a photo to this story.