CNN founder commits $1m to gorilla conservation

Renowned philanthropist and founder of renowned Cable News Network (CNN), Ted Turner, last week, announced his contribution of $1 million to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International-DFGFI, to help save endangered low land gorillas in Eastern Congo.The Fossey Fund through Karisoke Research Centre, will set up a satellite research station in Walikale, hire researchers on ecology, biology and habitant in order to help save the endangered gorillas.“We don’t know the exact number of low land gorillas but they are decreasing due to continued poaching, habitant destruction, and insecurity in the region, the situation is difficult,” Juan Carlos Bonilla, COO Dian Fossey, told The New Times. According to a statement from DFGFI, gorillas in Congo have received little protection and their numbers are plummeting.“When we lose one species – as we do too frequently in our over-crowded, over-polluted world, we lose part of ourselves. I can’t think of a more important effort than protecting our world, our globe, our environment – and that includes protecting those who inhabit it, including the gorillas of Africa,” Turner said.“It comes down to this: every single gorilla counts; every single person counts in protecting the gorillas; and every single dollar counts in supporting the work to protect the gorillas. “We may live on the opposite side of the planet from Africa, but what happens there can and will affect what happens here – and all around our fragile planet,” he added . Clare Richardson, president and CEO of the Fossey Fund, said, “The Fossey Fund is very fortunate indeed to have the kind of support that Ted Turner is providing. ‘’It is made even more notable because his contribution comes just after the 80th anniversary of Dian Fossey’s birth. But the challenges have never stopped either, and with this wonderful contribution, we can begin to export our expertise to other gorilla populations in need, such as in Congo.”The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. Conservation activities in Rwanda have led to the mountain gorilla being the only ape species whose numbers are increasing.

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CNN founder commits $1m to gorilla conservation