Global News - February 2008
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African countries unite to save gorillas
Thu 21 February 2008 12:35 UK — Africa,Primates
Officials from three African countries have joined forces in an effort to save the continent's endangered mountain gorillas.
Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have agreed to co-operate on a ten-year conservation plan in an attempt to prevent poaching and the destruction of the apes' habitat.
While half of the total population of the gorillas living in the wild is found in the Virunga Volcanoes Conservation Area, shared by the three nations, this new initiative represents the first time a formal plan has been launched by the countries.
"For the first time, the three countries have decided to protect the great apes which are threatened with extinction and insecurity in the region," said Moses Mapesa, the head of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
His colleague, Lillian Nsubuga, told AFP: "About four million euros (£3 million) will go into this project," with the Dutch government providing £3.1 million for the first four years of the scheme.
There are thought to be around 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild, though ten of the apes have been killed and two have gone missing in the DRC section of Virunga park since January 2007.
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