Zoos Fight the Bushmeat Problem

During the bushmeat campaign, the European zoo association EAZA asked zoos to support ape conservation projects that try to solve the bushmeat problem in Africa. We were one of the organisations that were supported by EAZA - and we therefore received funds and encouragement from several zoos. Some of them provided funding for certain projects that they chose together with us. The following zoos provided valuable support for certain activities during the past few months and we thank them sincerely. The projects need this help and motivation urgently. We hope that this cooperation between zoos that keep gorillas and gorilla conservation projects will continue; it will take much more effort until the bushmeat problem will (hopefully) be solved.

Basel
The Basel Zoo was very successful in its appeal to fight the killing of great apes for the bushmeat trade. They received many donations from the friends of the zoos. After a discussion with gorilla expert Jörg Hess they decided to use it for a project that we would recommend. Finally they supported two activities that help gorilla conservation by improving the living conditions of the people close to national parks in eastern Congo. One of these projects was the school education of Pygmy children near Kahuzi-Biega, and the other one was the newly founded dialogue committees near the Virunga National Park. An impressive, beautifully designed board in the primate building informs visitors about these activities. It was presented to the press in December 2002.

Zürich
In November 2002, the Zürich Zoo organized a very special charity event: Maria Becker, an actress from the Schauspielhaus Zürich, read from Dian Fossey's book in front of the gorilla enclosure in the ape building. It was a wonderful evening with about 80 visitors. At the request of the zoo, the proceeds were donated to the rangers of the Kahuzi-Biega Park. At the end of May we sent binoculars and digital cameras to the park.

Romagne
When Jan Vermeer of the French primate park "La Vallée des Singes" in Romagne read our appeal for donations to support Uganda's gorilla conservation, he immediately offered to help. The zoo provided funds for the required radio equipment - a base station and hand radios for the rangers of the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In the meantime, the radios have been distributed and the rangers use them during their patrols.

Kolmarden
The most recent zoo support comes from Sweden: The conservation foundation of the Kolmarden Zoo started an appeal for the protection of the highly endangered Cross River gorilla subspecies in Nigeria. This appeal created a very encouraging response and considerable funds were collected. They are now being used for the construction of ranger quarters at the Cross River National Park. (see update)

 Conservation areas

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