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.

Mother gorilla and baby in Prague zoo proof of successful conservation efforts

In this photo from Reuters, Gorilla Kijivu holds nine-week-old baby gorilla Tatu in her arms. Both live at the Gorilla's Pavillion at Zoo Praha, also known as Prague Zoo. The picture was taken this Tuesday, August 7.

Besides being home to Kijivu, Tatu and another female. Shinda, the zoo also takes care of four orphaned gorillas in the conservation station Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) in Cameroon. The stories behind all the gorillas who live there are pretty much the same: their parents and relatives were killed by hunters and they, the young survivors, were rescued from being sold as pets.

Among the rescued orphans are Chella, Jumbo and Pitchou. According to the zoo, Chella was found in a car boot next to the body of his dead mother when he was only 2 years old. He was then confiscated by local authorities who only provided him with beer for drinking and minute amounts of food during three long weeks. When he eventually arrived at the LWC, he suffered from great dehydration and malnourishment. He is now 17 and is the dominant male in the group.

Jumbo had fallen prey to a hunter when he was only a baby. According to the zoo, the hunter was trying to sell the little gorilla to a woman named Lena Perazzi because she knew that such purchase would cause more hunting of gorillas in the wild. Instead, Ms. Perazzi contacted the LWC and saved the baby's life.

For more on the stories of the gorillas who live at the LWC and more information on gorilla conservation, visit the Limbe Wildlife Center's website .