New Charter pledges to raise mountain gorilla numbers to 1,000 by 2018
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issue 46 autumn 2014 the gorilla organization
New Charter pledges to raise mountain
gorilla numbers to 1,000 by 2018
Letter from the
As mountain gorillas continue to
teeter on the edge of extinction, the Virungas
Gorilla Organization has launched a
new initiative aimed at securing the Here in the Virunga region of Africa,
long-term future of the great apes. we take great pride in the rich variety
Over the past few years, the of wildlife we live alongside.
number of mountain gorillas left in Above all, though the
the world has been rising, thanks in communities living alongside the
no small part to the move away from protected parks have great respect
traditional models of conservation for all animals, it is the gorillas they
towards community-led, grassroots revere the most.
alternatives. Encouragingly, the Now, however, those
latest censuses carried out in of us working to save
Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo wildlife, including
indicate that there are now around gorillas, are
890 mountain gorillas living in the really feeling
Virunga mountains, the only place the effects of
on the planet where they are found. the economic
Nevertheless, despite recent Despite recent gains mountain gorilla numbers remain perilously low troubles of
successes, mountain gorillas, as with the rest of
all other sub-species of the great for Evolutionary Anthropology Jillian Miller. “With it we pledge the world.
ape, remain critically endangered, explained to Digit News, “smaller to work with local communities Funding we
and numbers are still believed to be populations are intrinsically more to ensure the long-term survival of have previously
well below the carrying capacity vulnerable to environmental change, gorillas, while also supporting more relied upon has
of their native environment and epidemics, or, over the long term, immediate conservation efforts been drying up,
insufficient to guarantee long-term loss of genetic diversity”. such as ranger patrols and ongoing making a tough job even
survival. As Dr Linda Vigilant of research. We know that this is the tougher.
the prestigious Max Planck Institute A Charter for the future best way to protect gorillas and, We know the good will is there,
To help stabilise the mountain hopefully, will ensure we meet our but this drop in financial support
gorilla population, the Gorilla ambitious target.” makes it hard for us to carry out vital
Organization has launched its frontline conservation work at a time
new Target 1,000 Gorillas appeal. Funding frontline conservation when, for economic reasons, many of
The aim of the ambitious appeal To succeed in ensuring that there our neighbours are turning back to the
is to help increase the number of are at least 1,000 mountain gorillas resources of the protected forests.
mountain gorillas living in the living freely in the forests of Central It’s no secret that many of us
wild to 1,000 by the end of 2018. Africa by 2018, £750,000 needs to fear the advances made over the past
Underpinning the appeal is a new be raised over the next 36 months. 20 years could soon be undone. We
Gorilla Charter (left), outlining All of the money will be used to should be proud of what we have
how this target can be achieved fund vital frontline conservation achieved – and we are.
and asking supporters to sign work as well as innovative But we know that, in these most
up to be part of the generation grassroots development projects difficult of times, we are more reliant
that brings mountain gorillas aimed at addressing the factors that than ever on outside support if we
back for good from the brink drive habitat loss and poaching. are to keep gorillas from vanishing
of extinction. A copy of the Gorilla Charter forever.
“The Gorilla Charter can be found on the Gorilla
encapsulates everything Organization website. “Please read
we’ve learned in more than it, pass it on and play your part
20 years of working to save in making sure these wonderful
gorillas from extinction,” animals are around for generations Goma, DR Congo
says Executive Director to come,” adds Jillian.
www.gorillas.org 1
TERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIO
Crossing continents for
nature’s gentle giants
Some fundraisers really do go the “I’ve loved gorillas since I
extra mile for gorillas, and Kyran was a boy,” Kyran says. “And so
Young is one of them. In fact, the when I learned how this beautiful,
young conservationist is getting hazel-eyed pacifist has been pushed
ready to walk the 2,600 miles from to the brink of extinction, I knew
Mexico to Canada for the great apes I had to do something.”
next spring. The ‘Gorilla Walker’ believes
To prepare, Kyran spent his his trans-continental trek will take
summer holidays rambling across the him up to four months to complete
Spanish Pyrenees. Walking 14 hours and he’s calling on his fellow
a day and overcoming dense fog, great ape lovers to help him hit his
occasional bouts of loneliness and sponsorship target of £10,000. At the
regular dreams of pizza, he made it time of going to print, he’d already
to the Mediterranean coast after just raised almost £1,000.
four weeks, and is now confident that To follow Kyran on his
he’s ready to go even further for a journey, visit his blog at www.
species close to his heart. gorillawalker.com, where you’ll also
find out how you can donate. Kyran Young, the ‘Gorilla Walker’ hits the high road
GO flag flies on top of Africa once again
The flag of the Gorilla Organization Kilimanjaro to highlight the plight Day, the climb was dedicated to
once again flew over Africa when of great apes around the world. those who work on the frontline of
Chairman Ian Redmond reached the “We’re all of us 98.4 per cent conservation, and above all to the
continent’s highest point on a special chimp, 97.7 per cent gorilla and brave men and women who have
fundraising mission. 96.4 per cent orangutan, so this was lost their lives protecting gorillas
The globe-trotting prima- a great chance to unite to save our and other endangered species.
tologist was part of a group of cousins,” Ian said from the summit.
conservationists taking part in the Since the team made it to the Pictured left: Ian at the summit
expedition to the top of Mount top of Kilimanjaro on World Ranger with GGR flyer
Great Gorilla Run 2014
The fur flew in London for the 2014 they were rewarded with a medal
Great Gorilla Run, with more than 500 and, of course, a banana.
participants raising tens of thousands “You guys are a perfect
of pounds for gorilla conservation. example of animals inspiring the
As always, celebrity best of humans,” Bill told the crowd
conservationist Bill Oddie was on of runners and supporters after the
hand to wave the gorillas off on the event. “I truly do treasure this event
8km course, which saw them cross and can’t wait for next year to do it
Tower Bridge and race past City Hall all again!”
and Tate Modern. To find out more about the
Bill was joined by illusionist Great Gorilla Run and to sign up
Uri Geller in welcoming the runners for the 2015 event, please visit
back across the finish line, where www.greatgorillarun.org Bill Oddie and Uri Geller get the Great Gorilla Run started
Stanley takes up role of President Emeritus
Stanley Johnson has officially taken up Now, despite being busier habitat and they need all the financial
the role of the Gorilla Organization’s than ever, Stanley has accepted a help we can give them, especially
first-ever President Emeritus. new position of President Emeritus, during these turbulent times.”
The author, explorer, bringing both boundless enthusiasm As President Emeritus, Stanley
campaigner and some-time politician and invaluable experience to the role. will also play an instrumental role
served as Chairman between 2009 “My main concern is raising in lobbying on behalf of gorillas
and 2012, during which time he funds for gorilla conservation,” he and raising valuable support for the
climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and explains. “My colleagues on the Gorilla Organization’s grassroots
raised large sums of money for ground in Africa work incredibly conservation and development
conservation projects in Africa. Stanley, a President for life hard to protect the gorillas and their projects in Central Africa.
2
ONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEW
New partnership to halt
loss of gorilla habitat
The trees of the Kahuzi Biega Thanks to the Goma team’s
National Park provide the strong track record in working with
endangered eastern lowland local communities to successfully
gorillas living within its boundaries reforest large areas of land, the Gorilla
food and shelter. Organization has been named the
However, it’s not just great preferred partner of an ambitious new
apes that have always been dependent project being funded by the Africa
on the rich forests of this part of DR Development Bank (ADB).
Congo. For centuries, the trees have Through the initiative, more
also provided humans with food, fuel than two million seedlings will be
and shelter. planted with the aim of reforesting
Over the past few decades, some 1,000 hectares of land.
the number of people settling In addition to working with the
within walking distance of the park ADB, the Gorilla Organization team
has soared. Internal migration of will also be working alongside people
refugees has caused the regional living in the Kalehe, Kabare and
population to expand significantly, Walungu territories, with grassroots
while crippling levels of poverty cooperation crucial to the long-term
mean many people have little choice success of the project.
Gorillas rely on the Congo’s lush forests for food and shelter
but to trespass into the forests in
search of natural resources. Massive potential for project
According to Henry Cirhuza, “This is why this type of project has is testament to the high regard the
Gorilla habitat shrinking Programmes Manager at the Goma always won the support of local Gorilla Organization is held in this
Despite the best efforts of the Resource Centre, this forward- communities. Now, we can not only part of Africa. With the ink still drying
authorities, the forests have been thinking new partnership has the start to restore significant parts of the on this new agreement, Henry and his
shrinking at an alarming rate, placing potential to make a big difference precious forest, giving gorillas some team are hopeful that they may soon
the gorillas in grave danger. To to both local communities and their vital breathing space, but by planting get even more opportunities to build
counter this, the Gorilla Organization gorilla neighbours. fast-growing trees that can be used for on their community-led approach to
has already planted tens of thousands “The areas around Kahuzi firewood and timber, we can reduce changing people’s lives for the better
of trees along the park’s boundaries, Biega are very densely populated, so reliance on the trees found on the and building a brighter future for
placing a vital buffer between gorillas the need for wood to burn and timber other side of the park boundary.” the Congo’s critically-endangered
and humans. for construction is huge,” he explains. The partnership with the ADB lowland and mountain gorillas.
Community conservation credited for rise in gorilla numbers
Giving local communities a gorillas,” he recalls. “This means, again, the community-based ideals
central role to play in conservation the communities were hardly upon which the Gorilla Organization
is the most-effective means of involved at all, not even to share was founded are seen as the key to
safeguarding Africa’s critically- their thoughts on how native forests ongoing success.
endangered gorillas: that’s the and wildlife could be protected. In particular, education
Gorilla Organization philosophy “Now, saving gorillas has and outreach projects aimed at
and that’s also the conclusion of really become a real community inspiring a new generation of gorilla
a new report from the Rwanda endeavour,” Emmanuel adds. guardians are now a central part of
Development Board (RDB). conservation efforts, another thing
Released to coincide with People support themselves that was not always the case.
the tenth annual Kwita Izina baby “Conservation, research and “As a native of this area, I
gorilla naming ceremony, the veterinary jobs are open to all, remember that when I was young,
official statistics show that the and many more people support talking about gorillas and volcanoes
total number of mountain gorillas themselves and their families was seen as quite risky,” Emmanuel
found in the country has risen by an through tourism, including through adds. “Talking about some parts of
encouraging 26.3 per cent over the the revenue sharing scheme in nature was seen as tempting bad
past decade. Gorilla numbers rising which five per cent of money made luck, so it’s incredibly important
from selling gorilla trekking permits that attitudes have changed so much
Cooperation not coercion National Park, along with the support to tourists goes to support the socio- and so quickly.”
Notably, it’s not merely tougher of the international community”. economic development of some of Sadly, even with numbers
law enforcement in and around the It’s not always been this way, our country’s poorest towns and up by 26%, Rwanda’s mountain
gorilla habitat that’s credited as the however. Emmanuel Bugingo, the villages.” gorillas are still in peril, with habitat
main reason for this remarkable Gorilla Organization’s Programme Not for nothing was the loss and poaching the main threats
turnaround. Rather, according to Manager in Rwanda, has been at the 2014 Kwitza Izina festival given to their survival. However, with
Rwanda’s Head of Tourism and forefront of this changing approach the theme of ‘Empowering and conservationists and the authorities
Conservation, the main driver of to conservation since 2002. Growing’. As well as looking back now agreed on the best way to
change over recent years has been “When I started in this job, and celebrating the successes of the address these threats, the great apes
increased “community ownership coercive measures were seen as the past decade, this summer’s RDB have been brought back from the
of projects around the Volcanoes best – and only – way of protecting report also looked to the future, and brink of extinction, for now at least.
3
The Gorilla Organization
110 Gloucester Avenue
London NW1 8HX
Ymke’s legacy lives on
Tel: 020 7916 4974
info@gorillas.org Four years after her tragic death, Dr Primate Working Group, designed
www.gorillas.org Ymke Warren’s presence continues to facilitate African leadership in
Reg. Charity No. 1117131 to be felt in the exciting world of the study and conservation of the
Trustees: gorilla conservation. continent’s primates.
Ian Redmond OBE, Chairman In the wake of her murder “Dr Warren was a strong
Sandra Bakker in Cameroon, friends and family supporter of capacity building in
Paul Baldwin of the respected primatologist set Africans and she would have been
Dr J.E. Clarke up a special fund in her memory very supportive of the working
Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka to assist promising young African group,” Denis says “I would like
Martin Payne conservationists. to thank all those whose constant
Lord Spencer J Phillips The first recipient of this grant, support made this happen,
Belinda Wakeling Denis Ndeloh, worked alongside including the team at the Gorilla
Executive Director: Jillian Miller Ymke researching Cross River Organization.
gorillas. The funding has enabled “It is my wish that this grant
Patrons: him to carry on this pioneering work continues to support many more
Richard Adams, Michael Backes, and, just recently, participate in the African gorilla researchers and
Prof. Richard Dawkins FRS, inaugural meeting of the African Denis busy at work in the forest conservationists.”
Leonardo DiCaprio, Daryl Hannah,
Dr Nathan Myhrvold, The Hon. Mrs
Goodbye,
Claire Ward
Digit News
Editor: Jillian Miller
Deputy Editor: David Hewitt
Contributors: Tuver Wundi,
Rano
Emmanuel Bugingo, David Hewitt, Less than five years after the death
Paul Heckel of its legendary founding silverback,
Photographs: Paul Heckel, Tuver the Titus gorilla group suffered
Wundi, Uganda Wildlife Authority another loss, with the passing of
alpha male Umushikirano.
DTP: Column Communications Ltd The lifeless body of Rano, as
Printing: Emmerson Press he was popularly known, was found
by rangers carrying out a routine
patrol of the Volcanoes National
Park. Initial examinations showed
no signs of violence and further tests
Adoptions: indicate he died from natural causes.
Rano was just 21 years old
when he died, but in those years
the movie he had a dramatic life. “He spent
many years wandering the forests
The Gorilla Organization’s as a sole silverback,” explains the Silverback Rano is sadly missed but his family is still thriving
award-winning adoption Gorilla Organization’s Emmanuel
pack gives gorilla-lovers the Bugingo, who visited him on many of the Karisoke volcano, the Titus and who went on to father a record
chance to learn more about occasions. “However, after a few group is arguably the most famous number of offspring.
the great apes while also years of solitude he returned to take great ape family in the world. The Despite Rano’s death, the
playing a role in saving them over his father’s group, fighting off group was established by Titus group, now officially named the
from extinction. the rival silverback Kuryama, who himself, the gorilla who, as an Umushikirano group, thrives, with
A short film explaining was also his brother.” infant, so famously climbed over an infant born last year bringing
just how adopting a single Living on the Eastern slopes broadcaster Sir David Attenborough their current number to nine.
infant gorilla can help an
entire species can be found Batwa farmers battle against extreme weather
online at: www.gorillas.org
A lack of arable land to call their alongside. In fact, this season, 125 could be a sign of things to come.
own and a shortage of funding have local families have benefited from The Batwa will now plant their crops
not stood in the way of Kisoro’s the project, with many even growing earlier in an effort to guard against
pioneering Batwa farmers. enough produce to feed themselves the extreme weather that seems to
Thanks to the Gorilla and sell the surplus at a local market. be becoming more commonplace
Organization’s innovative Batwa Now, however, the budding in this part of Africa. Fingers
Training Programme, they’ve agricultural entrepreneurs face crossed they can face this challenge
overcome these challenges and more another problem: climate change. with the same determination and
to at long last make a living without The dry weather which hit the Kisoro resourcefulness they’ve shown since
having to rely on the natural resources district in May was responsible for the BTP initiative was launched
found in the gorilla forest they live lower-than-expected harvests and back in 2008.
THANK YOU Cowan, The Estate of the Late
George McNeil, Mrs Sarianne
Plc, Lindeth Charitable Trust, The
Green Mountain Trust, Dischma
Trust, Evan Cornish Foundation,
Simon Gibson Charitable Trust,
The Estate of the Late Janet Durie, Mr A Del Tufo, Mr Chris Charitable Trust, Gemini Chalk Cliff Trust, The Mitchell
Holloway, The Estate of the Late Gepp, Mrs Joan Pibouleau, Miss Foundation, Mrs S H Adlam Will Trust, Edward Smart, The Hoare
Ms Marie Therese Jones, The Phyllis Peters, Fountain of Youth Trust, R G Hills Charitable Trust, Trust and to all our wonderful
Estate of the Late Mrs Elizabeth UK, Props ‘n’ Frocks Ltd, Fyffes Animal Charity Trust, W F Southall volunteers and fundraisers.
4 Printed with the generous assistance of Emmerson Press 01926 854400
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