Jul 03 2008
After reading the magazine piece, this is what our Chairman, Richard Leakey had to say
“I am delighted that National Geographic has given such prominence to this species. The fate of the mountain gorilla ranks as one of the most important conservation challenges of the current time”.
I thought it was a comment that everyone would appereciate reading, especially the team on the ground in Congo, and everyone at Nat Geo.
Jun 28 2008
The premiere screening of Gorilla Murders
at the National Geographic Society took place on the 26th of June. The room was filled to capacity. The film examines the threats to this magnificent species in the DR Congo and talks about the conflicting needs of people and gorillas - no points for guessing their conclusion … gorillas are losing. The charcoal trade and armed conflict in this region is too great a challenge for the small force of park rangers. Already more than 110 of them have been killed in the line of duty.
The movie premiers on the National Geographic Channel on Tuesday, July 1st at 10:00pm. Don’t miss it!
Mike Fox, a photojournalist who was there said this… “Gorilla Murders looks at the likely cause of the “execution” of seven gorillas in 2007, captured, heartbreakingly, in still images by South African photojournalist Brent Stirton, who answered panel questions after the film had been shown“.
Green Piece was also there and he said “The images from the film are burned on my brain and the story National Geographic tells is unforgettable“
You can watch the Nat Geo video about it here and read more about the story here
We’ve heard a few views to this show already - please send us yours.
Emmanuel was a the function and sat on the panel afterwards. Keep your eye on the gorilla blog for his reaction.
Jun 26 2008
This month seems to be dedicated to Gorillas, the whole world is absorbed with them at the moment. Today the National Geographic screen Gorilla Murders in Washington DC. Everyone is talking about it. I”ll try to watch reactions to it on the news. I was sent these links to more of Ben Stirtons photos and stories which are just adding to the hype. Let us know what you hear!
I am still in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda where internet access is amazingly good. It’s one of those mornings - I know the chaos will hit me (it has been a frantic trip so far) so in these moments of calm I’ve been able to check out the latest online news. I had a wonderful surprise this morning when I read that in USA a man has walked from Seattle to Portland to support the Mountain Gorillas Veterinary Project which is run by Lucy Spelman.
Drew Nichols, a mortgage loan officer did a 10 day, 228-mile walk and raised more than $30,000 in donations and pledges. He is an amazing example of a volunteer who is making a massive contribution. Our own Robert Williams of Ending Charcoal blog is one of our own heros helping gorillas in Congo. In addition we have two other virtual volunteers working with us on specific blogs. It is hugely valuable and we all really appreciate their contribution which is making such a massive difference for us. We encourage any of you to volunteer just sign up here to help, and tell your friends! http://baraza.wildlifedirect.org/virtual-volunteering-for-wildlifedirect/
Some other gorilla news today made me even happier… in Uganda a 38-year-old veterinarian, Dr Gladys Kalema, has just won the prestigious San Diego Zoological Society conservation medal - The 2008 Conservation-In-Action Award. She is recognized for her outstanding conservation work in Uganda, at her organization the Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a private non-profit organisation, that promotes conservation and public health by improving people and animal primary healthcare in and around protected areas in Africa.
We fly back to Nairobi this morning - it has been absolutely amazing as you will read and hear in coming posts.
Jun 12 2008
A year has passed since the gorilla killings in Congo and two items caught my attention today.
Earthtimes online report “National Geographic have announced that On Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, National Geographic Channel’s “Explorer: Gorilla Murders” reports from eastern DRC, one of the most dangerous places on earth, with the full untold story behind the massacre. Central to the story is Stirton, a South African war photographer with a long history in the region. He was on-location when the murdered gorillas were found and returned to the park for National Geographic to investigate who was behind the killings. In addition to the world television premiere, Stirton’s and writer Mark Jenkins’ reporting is the July cover story for National Geographic magazine. With the first Western journalists to gain access to the gorilla sector of the park since the killings occurred, National Geographic presents exclusive testimonials from eyewitnesses, including Stirton, who discuss the hunt to bring the perpetrators to justice and the desperate efforts to protect the remaining gorillas, including one miraculous infant whose family was among those massacred”.
We followed the gorilla killings on our Gorilla Protection blog on WildlifeDirect and were the first on the ground. For more information about Nat Geo’s Gorilla murders show go to earthtimes online and National Geographic TV shows.
Last week at the fourth China International Press Photo Contest (CHIPP) awards ceremony in Shanghai, 78 works by 30 Chinese photographers and 34 from overseas were unveiled. Prizes were presented in 8 categories. Initially attracting 2,456 photojournalists and photographers from 72 countries and regions, the contest received a total of 28,318 entries in its preliminary phase. “Mountain Gorillas Killed in Democratic Republic of Congo,” a photo taken by Brent Stirton from Getty Images, was named the Best Photograph of 2007. In the picture, conservation rangers from a Congo anti-poaching unit work with villagers to evacuate the body of a mountain gorilla killed in mysterious circumstances at the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa.
Jun 07 2008
Has anyone out there heard about the National Geographic Geotourism Challenge? Don’t worry if you haven’t, I just bumped into this great new idea. If you want to make a difference in this wonderful planet, then vote in the Geotourism challenge which is sponsored by big wigs like National Geographic Society who have introduced its first Geotourism Challenge collaborative competition to identify and showcase innovators in tourism development, management and marketing. This rather clever online competition, at www.changemakers.net/geotourismchallenge, raises awareness about how tourism can help sustain, enhance and preserve local culture and environment. Three winners will each receive a cash prize of $5,000 and all finalists will have an opportunity to present their innovations at a Geotourism Challenge Summit this fall.
Nat Geo through their Center for Sustainable Destinations are doing this in partnership with Ashoka’s Changemakers. What’s nice about this is that they want to hear from you - read this blog by Scott Edward Anderson inviting us to participate in debate and discussion.
Vote here or here now, voting closes on the 11th June and winners are announced on 17th June. I supported the snow leopard project in India.
What did you vote for?
