Save Congo Mountain Gorillas
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: American Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo James F. Enwhistle
According to a United Nations report, Africa's Great Congo Basin Gorillas could disappear by the mid-2020's. These gentle animals are caught, trafficked and sold as exotic pets for thousands of dollars in the world market. They're also killed and sold as "bushmeat," even though gorilla meat is illegal in the country.
This July, six baby gorillas were smuggled out of the Congo into Rwanda to be sold. Luckily, after failed poaching attempts the babies were returned by Rwandan officials, but their parents are suspected to have been killed -- likely for bushmeat.
About 680 mountain gorillas -- one of the world's most endangered treatment -- remain in the wild according to the World Wildlife Fund. Ask the American Ambassador to the Congo to urge Congoan leaders to strengthen efforts to protect these gorillas.
Dear Ambassador Entwhistle,
According to a United Nations report, Africa's Great Congo Basin Gorillas could disappear by the mid-2020's. And according to the World Wildlife Fund, mountain gorillas are one of the world's most endangered species with only about 680 left in the wild.
These gorillas are threatened because they are caught, trafficked and sold as exotic pets for thousands of dollars in the world market or they're killed and sold as bushmeat, even though it's illegal.
Please urge Congoan officials to strengthen protections for these gorillas and educate Congoan people about the importance of protecting these gentle animals.
