...NOT THIS!
 

I know that the above photo is graphic and disturbing. I have been educating myself on the poaching ( "bushmeat" ) of primates over the last few months, with a strong focus on the Mountain Gorilla. I can only say, that the gentle gorillas need saving more than ever. It is bittersweet that this small population has been 'discovered'. It is great for the population #, but now the gorillas will be easier to trek by poachers & can become victim to diseases &/or sickness via human.

If anyone would like a listing of links related to Mountain Gorillas,( &other primates) anti-poaching organizations, primate groups... I will be updating my Care2 page with information in the next few days with info & links pertaining to the gorillas & the issues surronding their existance.

I also have another webpage at: http://julesrs007saveanimals.blogspot.com/ 

If you still want more info, please  let me know & I will give you any inforation I have.  Thank you all for your time & help.

Sincerely,

Julie

PLEASE sign, forward & X-POST this petition. I know that we can do better than 2300 signatures!

From Protect Gorillas From Deforestation - The Petition Site:

Protect Gorillas From Deforestation
Target: Congo's Ministry of Environment
Sponsored by: Care2.com

Great news for one of the world's most endangered animals: researchers have discovered some 125,000 western lowland gorillas that were previously uncounted in the Congo Basin. Until now, scientists believed there were only about 50,000 of these endangered gorillas left.
But this exciting new population estimate does not mean gorilla numbers in the wild are now safe. The western lowland gorilla continues to come under threat as timber companies move into the Congo Basin, home to more than a quarter of the world's tropical forest. Without careful management of the forest resources, western lowland gorillas and other gorilla subspecies will remain severely endangered.
Now more than ever authorities need to stem rampant deforestation, to preserve the habitats of the great apes and to support long-term sustainability of the region's natural resources.
Please urge Congo's Ministry of Environment to deny all deals that were signed illegally under the country's moratorium on new logging contracts.

ACTUAL PETITION:

"We are happy about recent news that researchers have discovered some 125,000 western lowland gorillas that were previously uncounted in the Congo basin. Until now, scientists believed there were only about 50,000 of these endangered gorillas left.

But this exciting new population estimate does not mean gorilla numbers in the wild are now safe. The western lowland gorilla continues to come under threat as timber companies move into the region. Logging and land clearance for farming are eating away the Congo Basin, home to more than a quarter of the world's tropical forest. Without careful management of the forest resources and strict enforcement of protected areas, the western lowland gorillas and other subspecies of gorillas will remain severely endangered.

Now more than ever it is essential to preserve the habitats of the great apes and support reforestation.

In 2002, with the Democratic Republic of Congo partially under the control of rebels, the country issued a five-year moratorium on new logging contracts to try and stem rampant deforestation. But the measure went largely unheeded and companies continued to sign new deals.

We ask that officials review the government-sponsored working group's recommendation on August 6, 2008 to cancel more than three quarters of its logging deals for not meeting necessary standards. But we are concerned that these recommendations did not go far enough. Sixteen of the 29 titles received a favorable opinion from the working group, despite being obtained in clear violation of the five-year moratorium on new logging contracts.

We urge you to comply with the five-year moratorium, and deny all logging contracts that were signed under moratorium.

Thank you for protecting the future of endangered gorillas and the biological diversity of the Congo basin."