Increase in Lowland Gorillas a Positive Trend

The world’s population of critically endangered western lowland gorillas in the Congo Basin of Africa received a huge boost when a recently released census from the Wildlife Conservation Society showed a significant increase in the numbers of these great apes alive and well in the Republic of Congo.

“The discovery of over 100,000 gorillas builds on years of work and support from many donors both public and private. In recent years the role of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) as the key donor in the region has been critical. Initiated by the U.S. Department of State, and funded with bi-partisan support of Congress, CBFP has had a tremendous impact, making it possible for governments, NGOs and industry to protect and manage the vast forests of the Congo Basin,” added Dr. Steven Sanderson, President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society. “CBFP support is fundamental to this discovery, and to the past and future management of wildlife and natural resources in the region.”

Western lowland gorillas are one of four recognized gorilla sub-species, which also include mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas and Cross River gorillas. All are classified as endangered by the Swiss-based World Conservation Union (IUCN). Across Central Africa, gorillas face looming threats from illegal trafficking in both live animals and body parts. They are also threatened by hunting for bushmeat and by the spread of the Ebola virus, which is lethal to gorillas as well as humans.

Then Secretary of State Colin Powell launched the Congo Basin Forest Partnership in 2002 in cooperation with the region’s countries, donor countries, and environmental and business organizations with the shared goal of conserving the enormously rich rainforests of Central Africa. Since then, the U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development has contributed $85 million to Congo Forest Partnership partners such as the Wildlife Conservation Society and other organizations to help conserve and manage nearly 200 million acres of critically important tropical forest in Central Africa, including habitat for western lowland gorillas.