The hunting and killing of gorillas is illegal but still the animals are killed for bushmeat or during the capture of baby gorillas for pets. In Northeast Congo, about 5% of western lowland gorillas in that region are killed each year. Timber and other companies have opened areas of once remote forest, facilitating poaching and the bushmeat trade. Poaching also carries dangers for humans as it is thought that Ebola may be spread through the butchering and handling of gorilla and other primate meat.
Central Africa is home to not only gorillas, but also the deadly Ebola virus. Ebola has caused a number of massive gorilla and chimpanzee die-offs in the remote forests at the heart of the primates’ ranges. Some scientists estimate that it has killed about one third of the wild gorilla population, mostly western lowland gorillas. The toll has been even greater in some areas, such as the Minkébé Forest—once considered one of the most important populations—where the virus may have killed more than 90% of the region’s gorillas and chimpanzees
The western lowland gorilla is the most numerous and widespread of all gorilla subspecies. Populations can be found in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea as well as in large areas in Gabon and the Republic of Congo. The exact number of western lowland gorillas is not known because they inhabit some of the most dense and remote rainforests in Africa. Significant populations still exist, including in isolated swamps and the remote swampy forests of the Republic of Congo.
Western lowland gorillas can be distinguished from other gorilla subspecies by their slightly smaller size, their brown-grey coats and auburn chests. They also have wider skulls with more pronounced brow ridges and smaller ears. Large numbers have not protected the western lowland gorilla from decline. Because of poaching and disease, the gorilla’s numbers have declined by more than 60% over the last 20 to 25 years. Even if all of the threats to western lowland gorillas were removed, scientists calculate that the population would require some 75 years to recover. http://worldwildlife.org/species/western-lowland-gorilla
Adopt a Gorilla http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Gorilla.aspx?sc=AWY1302WC922
The Himalayas is the highest mountain range in the world, and has 9 out of 10 of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest. These mountains, referred to as the Third Pole, are the source of some of Asia’s major rivers and also help to regulate our planet’s climate. For centuries people here have developed a unique culture that weaves nature and people together into the same fabric of life. The region is the birthplace of the Buddha, and is full of sacred natural sites such as secret valleys and high mountain lakes that predate ancient Hinduism.
The Himalayas face many challenges, and governments are under pressure to provide for their people and secure their natural heritage. Forests are strained as demand continues to grow for timber and food crops. Protected areas are becoming isolated pockets, and international criminal networks are emptying forests of rare wildlife to feed the voracious illegal market. The impact of global climate change is melting the once mighty Himalayas at a rate faster than ever recorded in human history, jeopardizing a vital source of freshwater for billions of people in Asia.
WWF has worked in the region since the start of the conservation movement and the founding of our organization in 1961. By joining hands with governments, local communities and supporters around the world, we have made progress for wild species and natural landscapes. But more needs to be done to forge a sustainable future for the Eastern Himalayas.
The Eastern Himalayas harbor an amazing diversity of life. There are 163 globally threatened species found in the Himalayas, including Asia’s three largest herbivores – Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhinoceros and wild water buffalo – and its largest carnivore, the tiger. The region is home to:
• 10,000 types of plants
• 300 mammals
• 977 birds
• 176 reptiles
• 105 amphibians
• 269 freshwater fish
The Himalayan grasslands have the densest population of Bengal tigers, which live alongside Asian elephants and one-horned rhinos. The mountains offer refuge for red pandas, golden langurs and takins. This is the only known location in the world where Bengal tigers and snow leopards share habitat
Illegal Wildlife Trade
In addition to deforestation and other habitat loss, poaching is the main threat to wildlife in the region. Tigers and rhinos are the most at risk because of their high commercial value in the black market. Smaller animals such as deer are sometimes poached for meat, and fish are frequently poached in protected areas. Poachers use nets and poison that can contaminate whole rivers. There are approximately 15 transboundary hotspots for wildlife trafficking between Nepal and China’s Tibet Autonomous Region
Habitat Loss
The conversion of forests for agriculture and exploitation for timber, fodder and fuelwood threaten the biodiversity in this region. Charcoal production in low elevation areas and intensive grazing at higher elevations also threatens forests. The need for firewood is not only a burden for nature, but also for people. Women usually spend hours in the forest looking for firewood, which increases their chances for conflict with wildlife. Many rural people depend on cattle for their livelihoods but do not have sufficient land for grazing. It is common to see cows, water buffalo and goats grazing in forests. Forests can sustain a small amount of grazers, but current numbers are unsustainable. Grazers often eat saplings and destroy future forest regeneration.
Human-Wildlife Conflict
The frequency of human-wildlife conflict increases as human populations grow and more land is cleared. Levels of conflict heighten and tolerance decreases when traditional practices are interrupted. WWF and other conservation organizations work to eliminate human-wildlife conflicts. For example, a community-managed livestock insurance plan compensates villagers for livestock losses from snow leopards. As these conservation measures take root, snow leopard numbers are on the rise.
Climate Change
Climate change is impacting people and threatening wildlife in the Eastern Himalayas. Many glaciers are melting and forming lakes prone to bursting and downstream flooding. Traditional water springs have dried up, limiting the water supply. Farmers’ crops suffer from changing patterns of rainfall, which threatens the food security of the local people. Warmer temperatures and changing humidity have brought insect pests and disease to areas where they were previously absent.
http://worldwildlife.org/places/eastern-himalayas
Despite its rugged reputation the Himalayas is a mosaic of fragile environments that face a range of challanges. It is the source of 6 of Asia's great rivers, including the Yangtze, Indus and Ganges, but changes in climate are affecting their flow. Melting glaciers and causing floods as glacial lakes burst their banks, whilst downstream water availability is becoming increasingly uncertain as unpredictable seasons bring either too much water or too little.
Both the people and wildlife of the region depend on the natural resources of the Himalayas. Yet as human populations increase people are using the resources faster than the Himalayas can replenish them. Forests are becoming fragmented, which is a serious problem for species like the tiger and elephant that need large territories to wander in.
People and wildlife are increasingly coming into contact as the wild spaces decrease, and the human populations grow. This causes conflict as wild animals destroy crops and kill livestock. Poaching also remains a constant threat as the booming Asian markets offer huge financial gains to people with few opportunities.
Downloads
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WWF Eastern Himalayas Factsheet
PDF 463 KB
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Species Conservation in the Eastern Himalayas
PDF 369 KB
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Conservation Complex Across the Top of the World
PDF 407 KB
Where are the Eastern Himalayas?
Protecting species and habitats, and promoting sustainable development. Through our
Living Himalayas Initiative we are helping to protect, restore and reconnect natural landscapes across the Eastern Himalayas. Our aim is to make sure plant and animal species can thrive, whilst local communities are able to maintain and improve their livelihoods. This includes the sustainable use of natural resources from forests, grasslands and freshwater systems.
Conecting landscapes. We want to help conserve and connect a mosaic of forests, grasslands and wetlands covering more than 7 million hectares; protecting and restoring habitats, minimizing human-wildlife conflicts and securing the source waters of some of Asia's major river systems.
Preparing for change. We're trying to improve our understanding of the impacts of climate change, and develop plans that will allow humans and wildlife to cope with these changes. We also want to ensure that tourism, oil, gas and hydropower develop in sustainable ways that pose no threat to the environment or the region's incredible biodiversity.
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/eastern_himalaya/
