Over the years, the RandomGood team has spent some magical moments with the endangered mountain gorillas of the Virunga Mountains -- a chain of volcanic summits along the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These majestic creatures live in family groups and share 98% of their DNA with humans. This means they are susceptible to many infections derived from humans such as measles, influenza and Covid19 that can sicken and potentially cause mortality.
Now, these amazing creatures are facing new threats. The DRC just announced it will auction oil and gas permits in important gorilla habitats in Virunga National Park. The population that lives in and near the park is so critical to the survival of the species, which is why Dian Fossey dedicated her life to protecting them and their special habitat.
The move to open this area up to fossil fuel drilling won’t just degrade their habitats and put them at risk of human contact and illnesses, but it would exacerbate the ongoing climate crisis as well.
Peatlands and rainforests in the Congo Basin store carbon and therefore play an essential role in combating climate change and protecting the planet.
* Photos by RandomGood Founder & CEO Randy Gebhardt and Science Advisor Peter J. Hudson.
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