NORTHERN PROVINCE

MUSANZE — The world’s 10th richest man, Rob Walton of Wal-Marts Company and his wife Melan Walton were among the eight board members of Conservation International (CI) who tracked the mountain gorillas this week at the Virunga National Park.

Led by Russell Mittermeir the President of CI the two were also accompanied by vice president Roderick Mast and Patrick Mehlman the vice president of Africa programmes for Fossey Fund among other conservationists.

The team had spent three days in SACOLA Community Lodge.

Speaking to The New Times, after the three days of tracking, Roderick Mast observed that human needs such as food, commerce, and water should be addressed in order to keep man in harmony with nature.

He said that considering the threats to the endangered species, the most important need is to keep the habitat safe and use the same animals like gorillas in generating revenue.

He disclosed that an entire budget from CI is being set aside for supporting partners in conservation, and supporting the local communities involved in conservation.

Conservation International is an institution that applies innovations in science, economics, policy and community participation to protect earth’s richest regions of plant and animal diversity.

Maureen Peckman, of Keep Memory Alive organisation said that the experience of tracking the gorillas is invariable because it helps understand the ecosystem and the challenges existing. 

Rob Walton is Sam Walton’s eldest son. He officially took over as Wal-Mart’s Chairman two days after his father died of bone cancer.

He had grown up in the family megacorporation, first as a member of the law firm representing the company and following that a series of executive posts.

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