During our last class (Monday October 22) Michael prefaced
the lecture per usual with some “words of wisdom”, better known as Michael’s
life lessons. The pre-class topic on Monday was concerning the dwindling numbers
of mountain gorillas that preside in the DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda. Coincidently,
The Washington Post published an article online detailing the strife of park
rangers within Virunga National Park.
The aggression specifically geared toward mountain gorillas
and the park rangers appears to have decreased; yet violence in the area still
creates turbulence. Approximately, 150 park rangers were killed in the line of
duty since 1996. In 2007, armed groups within the area desired to use the park
as a base, meanwhile causing harm to the rangers and killing the already
diminishing mountain gorillas, execution style.
More recently, the park was taking in record-breaking
numbers of tourists until the conflict erupted earlier this year. Now M23, a
group of army mutineers holds a portion of the Virunga National Park under
their command. M23 shares this territory with 200 mountain gorillas. A supposed
acceptance of the park rangers has been recorded from M23’s leader, Colonel
Sutani Makenga. Meanwhile, the
park rangers wish to remain as neutral as possible. Their neutrality shows no
bounds in regards to keeping themselves armed and safe; the park rangers are
armed with “assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and heavy
machine guns”. The park rangers are commando-trained via former Belgian
guerillas.
The Belgian park director, Emmanuel de Merode appears
optimistic about the park and the DRC, “It’s the rebuilding of a country, and the thing about tourism is that it
creates jobs within the local population and small businesses”. The hopeful
tune of de Merode brings up valid points about the importance of preservation
of the Virunga National Park and its inhabitants. In order to rebuild the country
post-conflict, its national assets like the park, timber, and minerals must be
preserved during the violent conflict.
Sources:
Manson, Katrina. "Rangers in Congo Risk
Lives for Rare Gorillas." The Washington Post. 21 September 2012. Web.
McCrummen, Stephanie. "In an Eastern Congo
Oasis, Blood Amid the Greenery." The
Washington Post. 22 July 2007. Web.
Image:
http://internationalexoticanimalsanctuary.blogspot.com/2011/06/cell-phones-and-mountain-gorillas.html
I think this is very important because with so much human failure in sub-Saharan Africa, many times the environment and its animal inhabitants are forgotten about. Of course in terms of environmental destruction, global warming, and carbon footprints, I feel that most sub-Saharan African countries do not do as much damage as most developed countries where everyone has multiple cars and uses oil to heat their homes. However, in developing countries, there are also not as many measures being taken to save and conserve wildlife. The Big 5 safari animals (elephants, giraffes, wildebeasts, zebras, and lions) get much focus, but still their numbers are dwindling. The well-being of other spectacular animals, such as these mountain gorillas, need to be considered. Instead of people trying to kill these animals for money, the international community should put money into the national parks to conserve these species for years to come.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post! Much different than the usual political/conflict posts about Sub-Saharan African nations. The environments and their inhabitants of these SS African nations don't necessarily get that much attention with all of the political havoc occurring. They are especially important because they contribute to the overall health and well-being of the environment, which then contributes to the health of the people living in it. It is so crucial to conserve the already diminishing species because of their important roles in the vegetation and climate. More attention and focus should be put upon this issue than it has currently.
ReplyDeleteKim-
ReplyDeleteObviously I am incredibly biased with this post, but I think you do an excellent job of highlighting an aspect of development facing many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that we might not consider.
Tis interesting to think that through the lives of an endangered species, we can begin to realize other 'big-world' problems that exist..
ReplyDeleteThis article discusses the issues facing the Mountain Gorillas, and the possible media backlash that M23 will face, if said gorillas are harmed..
The article makes me wonder how many other creatures are affected by political strife and conflict?
I begin to wonder if animals well-being will become a feasible way to illuminate political issues worldwide?