population of mountain gorillas rises

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_UGANDA_AFRICA_GORILLAS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-11-16-06-17-28

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) -- The population of Uganda's mountain gorillas has grown to 400, up from 302 in 2006, according to a census conducted last year, bringing the total number of mountain gorillas in Africa to 880 and giving hope to conservationists trying to save the critically endangered species.

Uganda is now home to nearly half of the world's mountain gorillas remaining in the wild, a source of confidence for a country that has come to depend heavily on the popular apes for substantial tourism revenue. The rest of the surviving mountain gorillas - the species Gorilla beringei beringei - are in Congo and Rwanda.

"The increase in the population of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is testimony to the sound natural resource management policies that are being implemented in the protected areas," Uganda's Ministry of Tourism said in a statement received Friday. "This result confirms beyond reasonable doubt that Uganda's conservation efforts are paying off."

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a network of forested jungle deep in the country's southwestern frontier, is recognized by UNESCO as a heritage site of world value. A permit to track gorillas there costs at least $500 and the World Wildlife Fund estimates that each gorilla brings in up to $1 million in revenue each year for the East African country.

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Marvelous news!

Always nice to wake up to hopeful news this early in the am.
ty for posting this.

[xchrom]

2. right? and given that it's damn near a war zone -- a miracle i'd say. nt

[Yo_Mama]

3. That's great news

I'm glad to read it.

Do you have any info on how this is happening? On what has changed?

[xchrom]

4. Only my supposition that rebels in that area

Have respected the gorillas and the people who protect them.

[Yo_Mama]

5. Thanks n/t