TWO mountain gorillas were killed this month in Virunga National Park in Zaire, just hours after being seen by tourists. Seven gorillas have been killed in Africa this year, ending a 10-year interlude during which there were no known killings.
Javier Arreaza of the World Wide Fund for Nature says the death of seven adults out of a world population of only 600 represents 鈥渁 significant loss鈥�. A mature silverback male was killed last month in Virunga, and in March four other gorillas were killed in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in neighbouring Uganda. The motive is unknown. Gorilla 鈥渟ouvenirs鈥� once sold for high prices, are now illegal in most countries. Meanwhile tourists have turned gorilla-watching into a profitable industry. Unfortunately tourism has also taken away the gorillas鈥� fear of humans, which could put them at risk if poaching resumes.