New hope for great apes

07th Aug 2008

Numbers of the critically endangered western lowland gorilla living in the forests in the Congo could be double the previous estimate.

Primate experts at an international conference held in Edinburgh this week were thrilled to learn that numbers of critically endangered western lowland gorillas in the forests of northern Congo could be as many as 125,000 - double the amount previously estimated.

The figures, based on a survey carried out by WCS fieldworkers and local government researchers, are fantastic news for the species which, along with half of the world's primate species, remain threatened by habitat destruction and hunting for bushmeat.

Important to many species, but especially in species closely related to humans like the gorillas, disease poses another serious threat. Not only do primates have their own diseases, they are also susceptible to some human diseases which can be passed on to them as humans move their settlements closer and closer to wildlife. The deadly ebola virus is one such disease, which can quickly spread and wipe out massive numbers.

Scientists are now calling for further work to understand how this, and other diseases, are transmitted to animals, and whether any vaccination schemes are possible. Yet another situation where veterinary support is absolutely vital to the conservation of endangered species.

To read more about the gorilla population discovery, click here to visit the WCS website