UNESCO warns of critical situation of great primates

“The global situation of great apes is critical. The action of the international community must be strengthened as quickly as possible if we want to prevent some species from disappearing forever”, emphasized Audrey Azoulay, after concluding a three-day visit to Rwanda.

“The protection of these close relatives of human beings, with only a 2% difference in their DNA, is a collective responsibility”, he highlighted.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recalled that deforestation, illegal hunting and disease transmission reduced the mountain gorilla population in the 20th century.

However, the UN agency gave a message of hope, insisting that joint efforts by national, local authorities and non-governmental organizations have “turned the tide” over the past four decades.

In 1980, there were only 250 mountain gorillas. Today, more than a thousand individuals live in the wild in three countries.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo are home to more than 80% of recorded mountain gorillas.

Around the world, more than 30 UNESCO sites are home to great apes.

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