Virunga - Africa’s oldest national park

My Scholarship entry - Virunga - Africa’s oldest national park

CONGO (KINSHASA) | Friday, 21 November 2014 | Views [314] | View Larger Image

There are about 800 Mountain Gorillas left in the world, all of which reside in DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. Many are found amongst the imposing cloud-covered slopes of dormant volcanoes.

Goma and Virunga National Park lie at the foot of Africa’s most active volcano, Mount Nyiragongo. At night, the menacing glow from its phenomenal depths can be seen for miles around. The volcano has only just been reopened to tourism after the latest war to blight Kivu Province at the hands of the M23 rebels came to an end. The volcano last erupted in 2002 and destroyed 20% of Goma.

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Recently a UK oil company, Soco International, has begun prospecting for oil in Virunga. Discovery of oil in the region will undoubtedly have negative consequences for the survival of the mountain gorillas. Soco’s own environmental assessment report describes a likely increase in pollution, habitat damage and poaching to Virunga.

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Virunga - Africa’s oldest national park

My Scholarship entry - Virunga - Africa’s oldest national park

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