Using this interactive timeline w/ photos from the National Geographic website, please take a few moments to read it over and then examine this complicated issue in the Congo / Rwanda / Uganda region from a Westerner's (outsider's) point of view. (If your timeline link doesn't work above, here's the timeline link so that you can copy and paste - http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/07/virunga/timeline-interactive )
It appears that there are so many ways to look at this beautiful rain forest and mountain gorilla preserve and the human devastation around it and NOT want to do something about it; in fact, recognizing that a genocide has occurred in 1994 compels (by law) the international community to act. The UN and other nations did act, but not before 800,000 people were massacred in a little over 4 months time in 1994. Afterwards, the massive # of refugees (2.5 million) flooded the Virunga National Park and complicated the wildlife preserve's delicate balance. This remains an issue for five years. Not only are mountain gorillas threatened by poaching during the most recent Congolese war, but the hippo population is down 95% as well as the elephant herds.
Even after a treaty was signed, in an effort to end poverty, the Rwandans seize park land to clear the forests and plants crops. Park rangers are still targets - whether shot by poachers or people looking to cash in on the illegal charcoal trade (chopping and burning trees to make this has been banned to preserve the forests), over 110 rangers have died guarding the park. In 2007, gorilla murders have been used to send messages to conservationists and politicians not to mess with the charcoal trade. When the head warden of the Virunga National Park, Honore Mashagiro, fell under suspicion, he denied it, but questions still remain.
So, after watching the video and examining the timeline, which do you think is the most important priority in this region: to conserve the wildlife of the Virunga; to bring stability and peace by ending the corruption and war; or solve the poverty problem by helping the poor of this region make a living instead of burning forests down to make charcoal?
Answer this question with your reasons why in 150 words.
United Nations - Great Apes Survival Project - http://www.unep.org/grasp/
Raise Hope For the Congo - Protect Women of the Congo - http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/
