Last night on a news television program (Sixty Minutes) they ran a short segment about the gorillas which have been maimed and slaughtered by guerillas in the "civil unrest" in the Congo. Also included as aggressors are the charcoal burners(they stated that making charcoal is a huge business). All very complicated and political as officials being paid off to turn a blind eye - the game wardens, protectors of the Apes understaffed and underarmed. The gorillas just caught in the middle of it all.

One thing that caught my attention was the description of the apes - in that they had become acclimated to humans as researchers and tourists frequent the area for work and pleasure. And in that they have become acclimated they no longer perceive humans as a threat - making them easy targets for poachers, warmakers, and those in big business (charcoal making) who wish to make a statement.

I am still trying to formulate the questions swirling around in my head. I admire those who do the research, and work to protect various species. I understand that gorilla treks make for big money to support further research and protection. But there is a niggling at the back of my brain that the acclimating of these beasts has contributed to their destruction. Don't mean to start a great debate - but would like others' thoughts.

Vee:

I only saw part of that program and it was heartbreaking to see some of the gorillas missing hands from snares that were set.

I think you have a very legitimate point about the gorillas being acclimated to humans - and thus developing a trust, perhaps endangering their lives in the future. I can relate it only to elephants, but when the orphaned elephants are very young the Sheldrick Trust allows people from all walks of life to come to see them. However, as they get older and closer to becoming wild and free elephants, human contact is kept down to a minimum. The keepers and the adoptive parents are the only ones allowed to see them at Voi and Ithumba. Why? Because they want them to develop a healthy distrust of humans so they will stay away from them, not try to go into villages, wreck shambas, etc. It may, after all, save the life of the animal in the long run.

You are also right that gorilla treks have become a big business. How much of that money actually goes into research and protection is questionable. If it is anything like other African countries, a few people will make a bundle and the rest will go to the government. Just my guess, and I hope I'm wrong.

Thanks for posting your thoughts on this. Hope you will become a regular poster.

I think this is an important issue and it would be interesting to pose it to the people on the ground who work with the gorillas. You have probably heard about [URL=http://www.wildlifedirect.org]WildlifeDirect.org[/URL]
There are quite a few blogs where rangers who have been with the gorillas for years and also gorilla vets make regular posts. Perhaps you should pose the question to them as they are in the best position to answer it and we should make the links or paste their posts here for users within bushdrums to take part.

Great idea Dipesh! Vee, if your up to it, why don't you take Dipesh's suggestion and see what information you get back from WildlifeDirect. Then you can share it with us.

I dropped an email this morning. I will let you know if/when I receive a reply.

Thanks for doing this Vee. It will be interesting to hear the experts opinions.