Photo shows illegal hunting of gorillas continues

Just yesterday, I posted what could be described as a lovely picture of thriving gorillas who are cared for by a successful conservation program.

In contrast, the picture you see above, also from Reuters, is not a pretty one. It shows four dead mountain gorillas that were illegally killed in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the week of July 26. The photo was released just yesterday, August 8, by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

I know the photo is perhaps too graphic, but it depicts reality and I thought it was important to put context in the situation that is affecting gorillas today. Yes, there are things being done to protect the species but the reality is that gorillas continue facing an uphill battle in order to survive.

The gorilla is one of the most endangered species in the world. According to the WWF, this is due to the fact that gorillas are confronted by the devastating consequences of increased habitat loss, poaching for the bushmeat trade and the spread of dangerous diseases like Ebola. And although the capture or killing of gorillas is illegal, it continues to take place, as the picture demonstrates.

Treasure Coast builds eco-friendly children's museum

The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast, currently under construction, will be the first green commercial building in Martin County.

The new museum, which is being built at IndianRiverSide Park in Jensen Beach, will feature water-conserving bathroom fixtures, insulated windows, showers for people who ride a bike to work, and "special windows and air-conditioning sensors that will reduce the building's energy use by 20 to 30 percent," according to the Palm Beach Post's article "Children's Museum also preserves the environment."

Environment conservation has been a priority for the museum since the very beginning. The article explains that when part of 40-year old building was demolished, workers recycled about 75 percent of the waste including drywall, studs, concrete, plastic piping, metal and steel.

The next step is the application to the United States Green Building Council so that the museum is officially recognized as a green building by obtaining LEED certification.