Mountain gorilla born in DRC

2007-08-22 22:18

Nairobi - A mountain gorilla was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Virunga Park on Tuesday, an important event for the endangered species' survival after the recent killings of five silverbacks.

"The birth is seen as a key step toward the survival of this critically endangered species," the Wildlife Direct conservationist organisation said on Wednesday.

"Nine Mountain Gorillas have been killed since January in Congo's gorilla sector, sparking one of the worst crises for this endangered species in over 35 years," it added.

The newborn has yet to be named.

'Poaching of wildlife is endemic'

"Despite the slaughter of the gorillas in July that shocked the whole world, we can see that they are fighting to survive," said Norbert Mushenzi, head of southern Virunga for the Congolese Nature Conservation Institute (ICCN).

"ICCN is collaborating with all conservation NGOs to intensify the protection of the gorillas with additional guards and reinforced patrols," he added.

In July, four members of a family of mountain gorillas were massacred, the remains of a fifth female were found days later and her infant is presumed dead.

Local and foreign militias as well as Congolese soldiers regularly cross this area of the Virunga park, one of Africa's largest national parks and a Unesco world heritage site, and sometimes occupy parts of it.

The mountain gorillas are a main tourist attraction in the Virunga park, where poaching of wildlife is endemic.

- AFP