Gorillas on the Rise

US Person makes a sincere attempt to bring you, the reader, positive stories from the wild kingdom at a time when Nature is under severe onslaught by man.  One such story is that mountain gorillas in East Africa are making a comeback despite incredible adversity ranging from habitat lost and war to uncontrolled poaching. Numbers of Gorilla beringei beringei are up from 480 in 2010 to 604 in 2016 according to census figures. Together with scattered groups to the south of the Virunga Mountains they number around 1,000.  In 1981 they numbered just 242 individuals. They are the only great ape known to be increasing in number.  This fact is testament to the effectiveness of intensive conservation efforts, made famous by ethnologist, Diana Fossey. Their protection from marauding rebels and poachers have cost 170 rangers their lives.

Despite the encouraging increase in population, mountain gorillas are still classified as critically endangered by the ICUN.  A key element of successful gorilla conservation is the engagement of local humans who are impoverished, and often resort to hunting protected animals.  Fossey's fund works to provide better human access to water, food and security so that people can see they are benefiting from the continued presence of gorillas in their midst. DNA sampling has shown that thirteen individual gorillas presumed 'lost' dispersed and intermixed with others to keep their gene pool robust. People all over the Earth are inspired by the gorillas' tenacity, and willingness to respond to human concern for their well-being. We can all learn a lesson from the mountain gorilla's determined cling to life--never give up despite the odds.

 For mine are all the animals of the forests;

beasts by thousands on my mountains.

I know all the birds of the air; and whatever stirs 

in the plains , belongs to me.  Psalm 50: 10-11

And now the bad news.  Determined to prove their anti-nature, pro-exploitation credentials, House Repugnants have introduced 75 bills since Trump took office to gut the Endangered Species Act, the legislation directly responsible for saving our national bird, the Bald Eagle from extinction as well as 99% of other species listed under the Act  The bills would give states veto power over species gaining federal protection, remove the gray wolf from federal protection, and put a cap on legal fees associated with Endangered Species Act litigation.  Of course, Repugnants are not refusing to accept political donations for their work to gut the law. Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Sen. John Barrasso, Congressman Rob Bishop, and Sen. James Inhofe—have received hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past few years from mining, oil and gas companies. Bishop wants to repeal the Act completely. Opponents of the Endangered Species Act have failed to cite any protection and recovery plan that causes economic harm, demonstrating that their opposition is only based on financial concerns, and NOT the public's best interest.