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Wildlife experts call for better protection of gorillas
Delegates from 20 countries, who attended a two-day conference in Frankfurt, Germany, to mark the UN Year of the Gorilla, have launched a global campaign to conserve humankind’s second closest relative, according to a news release from UNEP received here Friday.

The delegates, who issued what they called the "Frankfurt Declaration" that calls for better protection of gorillas, highlighted major threats to the mammals and their habitats, as well as the strategies available for the conservation of the primates.

In the declaration, the over 160 delegates appealed to governments, the international community and industrial companies to enhance activities to reduce threats to the remaining gorilla populations in the wild, which can contribute to peace-making and prosperity in Central Africa.

The 9-10 June conference was part of activities to mark the UN Year of the Gorilla and the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

The organisers included the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, the Frankfurt Zoological Society and Frankfurt Zoo.

Although gorillas are protected by law in every one of the 10 African range states, the meeting observed that they were hunted for their meat, which is sold at local markets and abroad.

One million tonnes of bush meat is harvested every year in the Congo Basin alone.

Enforcement of wildlife laws is therefore necessary to control the bush meat trade, the delegates observed and called on the international community and national authorities to enforce laws regulating the trading on gorillas, including the wider bush meat trade.

Diseases, in particular the Ebola virus, that can be transmitted through close contact with humans, are also a major threat to gorillas.

Second only to elephants, gorillas play a key role in maintaining the African rain-forests and hence the world's climate.

Conserving forests does not only contribute to preserving ecosystems but also underpins efforts to mitigate climate change, reduces poverty and ensures a sustainable supply of energy.

Ian Redmond, Ambassador of the UN Year of the Gorilla, said: "The Frankfurt Declaration is an important statement of common purpose and good intent. Its success will depend on how the signatories commit to their pledges."

Serapio Rekundo, Ugandan Minister for Tourism, agreed, noting that in addition to providing a boost to the national economy, gorilla tracking can even support wildlife conservation in other protected areas.

"The total revenue of Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks (home to Uganda’s gorilla population) increased by almost 80 per cent between 2005 and 2008,” Rekundo said.
 
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