The future of the summits

1989/06/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ekologia

The death of Dian Fossey, defender of mountain peaks, took place three years ago. This winter we have known his life and his struggle through the great film “The Fog Gorillas”. The gorillas that he loved so much have problems today.

Dian Fossey among the summits.

In the 1986 census on Mount Virunga, 280 gorillas were recorded (239 were recorded in 1981). The trend seemed positive. However, this species of mammal in serious danger was attacked during the rain of 1988 by a respiratory disease. Six gorillas died and autopsy reveals that one of them had snow. Human beings (drivers, tourists, soldiers or their inhabitants) probably transmitted the virus to him. Respiratory problems with antibiotics were solved to 15 animals. Last summer almost all the gorilla, except for the children and pregnant females, got into the measles.

Now there is no indication of disease, but we must wait to see what happens in the rain of this year before launching a decisive judgment.