Tucked into one of the most beautiful and conflicted
regions of the world are the last of the mountain
gorillas. These apes have survived centuries of human
encroachment into their habitat and range and decades of
intense conflict and violence. The remaining 720
mountain gorillas exist in a fragile habitat, nestled in
an area torn by human interests and needs for land,
water, and minerals. With captivating photography and
the most recent scientific research, Mountain Gorillas
takes you deep into the montane rain forests of Uganda,
Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to reveal
the complex story of the mountain gorillas of the
Virunga Volcanos and Bwindi. Gene Eckhart and Annette
Lanjouw reveal how humankind affects the gorillas and
their habitat, detail the innovative conservation and
education efforts undertaken by governments and
nongovernmental organizations, and explain how
ecotourism and other conservation-focused enterprises
support efforts to protect the two mountain gorilla
populations.This perfect blend of intimate photography,
thought-provoking scholarship, and engaging stories
demonstrates the inexorable ties among the animals,
environment, and peoples of the region, and makes clear
why the continued existence of the Virunga and Bwindi
gorillas is so important. Mountain Gorillas features
stunning photos and four appendices documenting key
biological and ecological information, habitat
vegetation, milestones in mountain gorilla conservation,
and travel information. |
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