Save the gorillas!

Through society, we have been taught that dogs are a man’s best friend. Well, I have come to find that there is another animal that I believe to be a man’s best friend. An animal who we can closely relate to: the gorilla.

Gorillas are very intelligent and trusting species. When you look in to their eyes, you can feel the trust between you and this animal. They allow us to touch them, to come close and experience them so personally. Gorillas have been taught to trust mankind and have built up a close relationship. Unfortunately, we are slowly breaking this relationship through the killings of a very special species of gorilla.

The silverback mountain gorilla can be found in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They thrive in the lush forests that surround these countries. Unfortunately for us humans, we may not be able to enjoy the company of this beautiful species for much longer. There are only about 700 left of this species. In Rwanda and Uganda gorillas continue to flourish, but In the Democratic Republic they are under protected and are slowly being killed. Gorillas have been able to survive in Rwanda and Uganda because of the protection programs and the park rangers, but in the Democratic Republic the constant fighting within the country has caused the park rangers to flee and leave these beautiful creatures to fend for themselves.

According to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 10 mountain gorillas have been shot to death in the Democratic Republic, in the last year. Even if they are not killed, many of the gorillas you may come across in all of the countries are missing body parts, such as hands and feet. It is truly heart breaking to see.

Gorillas are much like humans. They travel in groups or, “families,” in which a male is the ultimate leader. There are many female gorillas and babies that are protected by this fierce male. Male silverbacks can be very intimidating. It seems as though their favorite thing to do is to stand on their hind legs and bang on their chest, a fair warning that the male is the boss.

In a sense these gorilla families are much like our human families. A father protects, a mother cares for the young, and the children love to play. There is a real sense of connection with these animals, and I believe we have no right to tear these families apart any longer. We should have more protection for them, because once they are gone, they are gone forever.

I believe that an immediate action should be taken against the poachers of these countries. How would they like it if we set out to hunt for their family? I believe everyone in this world should take some point of action to help these creatures. I know I am. In my schooling I am studying zoology, and then I will be able to become a zoologist and save these precious animals. Our world would be nothing without wildlife. We would lose millions of dollars and food sources would evaporate in to thin air. Who wants to live in a world without man’s best friend? Certainly not me.