Gearing Up For Gorillas
In December of 2008, Animal Friends Insurance initailly chose to support the charity Gearing Up For Gorillas, by helping with funding for vital projects in the desperate struggle to save the majestic mountain gorilla in the war torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
G4G works to assist Park Rangers whose "office" is often one of the most dangerous places in the world. Yet they have very limited resources and sometimes even work without pay to protect the wildlife - and the gorillas - they love. Over the last decade, more than 100 rangers have been killed whilst on duty in DRC. Nine lost their lives during 2004 alone.
The rangers work in five National Parks in DRC, all officially classified as 'World Heritage Sites - in Danger' by the World Heritage Committee. These five World Heritage Sites are the last refuge for many of the worlds endangered and threatened species. In eastern DRC, the Virunga National Park, is home to a host of rare wildlife, not least around half of the last remaining mountain gorillas. The gorillas are under intense threat - as are the rangers who work there.
AFI has started to provide funding to directly help these courageous Rangers. The pet insurer has also recently funded the feeding and care of 3 orphan baby gorillas at a sanctuary in Goma. Ndeze and Ndakasi are two mountain gorillas. They're kept together now and are growing very well. With all that's going on around them, play is the most important thing for them!
G4G representative Linda Nunn told Animal Friends:
"The milk powder they need for the babes is very expensive (especially at the moment with insecurity & travel issues), and the ranger/care givers have to go further to fetch forest food for them every day. They're obviously having to go further to quieter areas or pay local people to fetch it from afar for them & that all takes money. That's where your funds have been directed. All orphans are well at the moment but they have to have supplies of various drugs just in case & those are almost prohibitively expensive, especially in times of intense conflict. Your funds will keep these 3 fed and looked after for some months & MGVP are so grateful".
Click on the link to read more about G4G's work in the DRC...
images courtesy of gorilla.cd
