GREAT APES
4 of 5 Great Ape species are critically endangered.
Many African great ape populations are found in West and Central Africa where minerals, oil, gas and corruption is plentiful. Stability is rare and Poverty is the norm. All of these make conservation difficult if not impossible. Big international companies build roads deep in the forest in search of the riches that gas, oil and minerals bring - all aiding in habitat loss, and the illegal pet and bushmeat trade.
The photos below feature two of the species - the Mountain Gorilla which is found in Uganda, Congo, DR and Rwanda. The Grauer’s Gorilla’s found only in the Congo, DR and the most critically endangered of all the Great Apes with numbers dropping 77% in the last 20 years alone.
A toddler from the Humba family swings from the vinery
A new mom and her sister shield a 4 -5 week old infant from a very rambunctious toddler
One of an estimated 3-4K remaining on this planet today. This pic was taken while trekking at Kahuzi-Biega National Park in southern Kivu - the only place you can see them.
Virunga National Park, DRC. A little quite time with an adult female mountain gorilla from the Humba family of Virunga.
A beautiful female from the Humba family - a fav of mine for her calm disposition and seemingly model poses when the camera is near
"Where words are restrained, the eyes often talk a great deal." Samuel Richardson. Sitting on the forest floor, just me, the gorillas, and a couple of rangers in the background this gentle giant allowed me the priveledge of looking directly into his eyes. A memory that is thankfully imprinted for years to come and one that gives new meaning to Samuel's quote. Taken at Kahuzi-Beiga - one of the last Grauer's Gorillas remaining today.
Northern Serenegeti
A young elephant of a few weeks keeps pace with it's mom as they pass my vehicle.
Northern Serengeti
early morning in the north
Serengeti (Lamai area)
Northern Serengeti
The vastness of the Serengeti on display
Northern Serengeti
Brown Bear, sometimes called grizzlies, are among the largest animals on earth. Depending on their home range they may grow up to 10 ft tall and weigh in at 1300 lbs, like those I photographed last spring along Alaska’s remote coastlines.
Surprisingly, the vast bulk of their diet is plant material, but they also will eat fish, insects, and other mammals. Salmon are a favorite food for bears on the coasts and this diet is why the bears on the coast are son huge.
Incredibly smart, they are also very adaptable and can be found in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Like many of species their numbers are deceasing across much of the northern hemisphere.
Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Virunga National Park is one of the most biologically diverse protected areas on the planet. It is also a geologic wonder and contains two of the world’s most active volcanoes. Sadly, much of its history has been plagued by violence however there are signs of hope. This is thanks to all the men and woman of the park who bravely risk their lives every day protecting it and its inhabitants and all of those who have donated or visited. The pictures here aim to give an idea of the park's beauty and those who depend on the parks revenue to survive.
UPDATE: Sadly the park was forced to close their doors due to the deteriorating security situation. Hopefully they will reopen after the election but until then they could use your support. If you care to help Andre, the orphans and the rest of the brave men and women of the park here’s the link to the Park - https://virunga.org/donate/.
Sometimes gray tones capture the vibrancy of life more accurately than color
Northern Serengeti
The village is located in the remote northern sector of Tanzania and borders Kenya and the Serengeti
The nurses in the village are employed by the MOH and generally come from other area of Tanzania. The gov provides living quarters however the quarters in the village were in poor condition - little protection from the elements as there no windows, no doors, and the floor was dirt, The rehab of the quarters was intended to attract other h/c professionals and improve morale.
A few of the volunteers who is so graciously gave up their Saturday to help build 200 kits
Once this structure is completed it will serve as the village store and will have 2 public restrooms. The structure is attached to the dispensary.
Some of the wonderful people who helped build 2000 birthing kits
May 14, 2017. Video of the work being done on the staff quarters.
