![]() ![]() Because mountain gorilla numbers had increased by close to 56 individuals over the last 10 years, the recent loss of land was a considerable step backward. The other 320 gorillas reside in the nearby Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The Virunga Conservation Area offers habitat to 380 of the world's 700 remaining mountain gorillas. In a single week in June of 2004, farmers created pasture for their cattle by clearing 15 square kilometers (5.8 square miles), or 6 percent, of the 264-square kilometers (102 square miles) of mountain gorilla habitat that make up the "Mikeno" sector. The fertile volcanic soil, cooler temperatures and lower malaria risks have drawn people to the surrounding area, making it currently one of the most densely populated parts of Africa, with up to 500 people per square kilometer. Credit: Nadine Laporte/ĭuring the last 10 years, migrating refugees from ethnic wars and local people in search of farmlands have encroached on the park. ![]() ![]() Where rapid deforestation occurred in June 2004. Within Africa, and highlights an area in the "Mikeno" sector of the park This map shows the location of the Virunga Conservation area Such cultural or natural sites are cordoned off for protection because of their "outstanding value to humanity." The southern "Mikeno" sector inside the Virunga National Park holds the distinction of being one of two remaining places where mountain gorillas can be found in the wild. In 1979, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the park as a World Heritage Site. Established in 1925, the Virunga National Park in the DRC is the oldest park in Africa and connects with six other parks. In Swahili, the word virunga means volcano. One place where NASA is helping is in the Virunga Conservation Area which covers the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Image left: Picture of a Juvenile Mountain Gorilla. Now, NASA is providing satellite imagery and funds to help conservationists track remote wild areas where until now it has been close to impossible to get information on land cover and land-use change. Impediments can include wars, local poverty, remote locations, getting governments to work together, and lack of information on the best places to focus limited resources. Scientists and land managers often fight uphill battles to protect key lands. There are parts of the world where conservationists have a hard time doing their work. ![]()
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