Rangers in Park Can't Protect Gorillas

[MonkeyFunk]

oh, this is heartbreaking:

VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK, Congo - Not far from a hillside where several mountain gorillas shot dead last summer lie buried, park ranger Innocent Mburanumwe peers across a primordial canopy of treetops into what may be the most dangerous game reserve on earth.

The lush sanctuary — home to some of the world’s last mountain gorillas — was thrust onto the front lines of Congo’s latest war in September. Since then, the fragile habitat in the Central African highlands has been overrun by rebels and soldiers, transformed into an off-limits war zone.

In the world of wildlife conservation, the biggest worry most rangers face is the extinction of endangered animals. But in Virunga National Park, where more than 120 rangers have been killed over the last decade, they also worry about their own survival.

In recent months, some have dodged bullets while driving in their cars. Some have spent nights hiding under beds with their families. All were forced to flee the park’s so-called gorilla sector when rebels swept in, some taking shelter in tents on the sanctuary’s edge.


more at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22627399/

[I work for workers]

1. Until it's more profitable to protect the gorillas then it is to kill or capture them

the killings will continue. In places without a competent government the dollar is the law of the land.

[MonkeyFunk]

2. That's what's sad

in the long-term, it IS more profitable to protect the gorillas. But charcoal traders want to destroy the forest for a quick buck NOW.

[I work for workers]

5. Agreed. The problem is that so long as the Congo is a war ravaged hell hole,

which isn't changing anytime soon, tourism money won't come in. A cheap buck now will trump an unlikely long term plan for desperate people.

[uppityperson]

7. Most of the article is about war.

Difficult to worry about tomorrow when today is so urgent.

[The Stranger]

3. Can anything be done by DUers to protect the gorillas and assist the rangers?

[MonkeyFunk]

9. Yes

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0309/p01s04-woaf.html


That's an article about the following charity, which raises money to pay and train rangers.

www.wildlifedirect.org

The site seems to be down now - hopefully overwhelmed after this story was featured today.

[RufusEarl]

4. Humans are very sick animals!

Peace!

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. Give the gorillas guns so that they can defend themselves

;)

[MonkeyFunk]

8. or at least tasers

[karlrschneider]

10. They can't be saved...too many humans breeding out of control.

The only possible solution won't pass the PC test.