New baby mountain gorilla born in Congo: 24-08-2007
The birth of baby mountain gorilla in eastern Congo's Virunga Park is a positive sign for the future of a species which is currently classified as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union, say conservationists.
In a statement on Wednesday, Samantha Newport from the conservationist organisation Wildlife Direct said: "The birth yesterday is seen as a key step toward the survival of this critically endangered species."
This comes after what has been called one of the "worst crises for this endangered species in over 35 years", in which nine mountain gorillas have been killed in the unsettled east of the country since July.
Approximately 700 mountain gorillas are believed to be left in the wild. They are found almost exclusively in the national parks of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
© Adfero Ltd
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