A member of one of the two fully habituated (i.e. accustomed to the presence of humans) groups of eastern gorillas, a female named Nyaba Deux with her twins. Photographed in 2022. Photo Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo
In the Congolese province of South Kivu, a new variant of mpox (so-called monkey pox) was identified this year, which gradually grew into an epidemic threatening, among other things, the critically endangered eastern gorillas in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The Prague Zoo was asked by the Gorilla Doctors organization for support in their protection, and it will provide 206 thousand crowns from the “Helping them Survive” collection account.
“We have been working together for a long time on the protection of eastern gorillas in the province of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we have the best experience with the Gorilla Doctors there,” said the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek. “Our support is intended to help ensure that eastern gorillas do not become infected from local residents or directly from the guards of the national park. The funds we provide will be used to train health workers and community leaders in recognizing mpox symptoms, using rapid diagnostic tests, and implementing preventive measures. At the same time, one hundred mentioned diagnostic tests will be purchased as part of our support.”
Bonane silverback male, who leads one of the two habituated groups of eastern gorillas there. Photo by Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo
Eastern gorillas live only in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and according to several years old research, there are probably only less than four thousand of them left. In addition to the uncertain security situation and the rampage of various militias, which is linked to illegal extraction of raw materials, deforestation and poaching, another threat has now been added: the mpox epidemic. Its epicenter is located immediately beyond the borders of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Since August of this year, over 30,000 people have been infected, with roughly a thousand of them succumbing to the infection. The first two park rangers, who are in direct contact with the gorillas, recently found themselves in contact with the infection. The threat of gorilla infection thus continues to grow.
You can support the activities of the Prague Zoo to protect gorillas and other endangered species by donating any amount to the collection account “We help them survive” (ID: 43–680 466 0247/0100) or by purchasing souvenirs in the Prague Zoo e-shop in the section “We help them to survive”: https://eshop.zoopraha.cz/suvenyry/pomahame-jim-prezit.html.
Looking into the eyes of the leading male Bonane. Photo by Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo
Last but not least, they will also help by visiting the Prague Zoo, during which you can also drop off old mobile phones and tablets in the collection containers at the main entrance. By recycling them, the pressure on the extraction of raw materials in African forests is reduced.