Post by Jeff on Jan 11, 2006 23:42:27 GMT -5
Most of the deaths are due to poachers who kill the gorillas for their meat or to capture infants. Most infants die because of malnutrition or starvation. Their mothers are usually shot and killed by poachers and natives so that they may use their body parts for meat, souvenirs, and amulets.
But poachers are not the only ones hunting gorillas. The natives of the land also hunt for gorillas for their meat so that they may sell it at the market.
Destruction of their habitat has also played a critical role in the declining number of gorillas in the world. Recent civil wars have caused a number of refugees to retreat to the mountains which has created pressure against the gorillas that dwell there. As the refugees continue to cut down trees and destroy the habitat, the gorillas are pushed higher into the mountains which may cause difficulty in breathing due to high altitudes.
A drop in tourism has affected the gorillas greatly. The revenues from tourism went to National Parks to protect gorillas. If the parks aren't protected, there are no limits to the damage that can be done to the gorilla's habitat which will ultimelty lead to their extinction.
But poachers are not the only ones hunting gorillas. The natives of the land also hunt for gorillas for their meat so that they may sell it at the market.
Destruction of their habitat has also played a critical role in the declining number of gorillas in the world. Recent civil wars have caused a number of refugees to retreat to the mountains which has created pressure against the gorillas that dwell there. As the refugees continue to cut down trees and destroy the habitat, the gorillas are pushed higher into the mountains which may cause difficulty in breathing due to high altitudes.
A drop in tourism has affected the gorillas greatly. The revenues from tourism went to National Parks to protect gorillas. If the parks aren't protected, there are no limits to the damage that can be done to the gorilla's habitat which will ultimelty lead to their extinction.