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Recent reports from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
indicate that local populations of many endangered species are dwindling
because of high demand for radioactive mineral called coltan that is used to
make cellular phones, computers and other electronic devices.
"The numbers of lowland gorillas, okapis and elephants have significantly
dropped as miners kill the animals, eat the meat, and sell the ivory tusks of
elephants, wrote one wildlife conservationist.
According to the reports: the number of eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega Park has decreased from
280 in 1996 to 140
only two elephant families remain in the park there once were approximately
350
the elephant population of Virunga National Park has declined from
approximately 12,000 to about 8,000
In addition, many of the areas in which the mineral is being mined often by
hand were previously uninhabited.
Bushmeat has recently become a delicacy in many cities in the DRC. So, the
price of the meat and the number of wild animals being slaughtered have
risen.
In poorer, more rural areas, demand for bushmeat is high because it is cheaper
than meat produced by farmers.
There are plans to begin mining coltan in Botswana and other African countries
in the near future.
© 2002 Animal News Center,
Inc.
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