Chapter 21: East Africa "Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas"

Introduction

For nearly 20 years, researcher Dian Fossey lived among Rwanda's mountain gorillas. She documented their lives, habits, and habitat. When she realized that the mountain gorillas were headed toward extinction, she began a worldwide effort to save them. Raising money herself, she was able to start an anti-poaching campaign. Through her efforts the decline in mountain gorillas was stopped, and today they are gaining in number.

Lesson Description

Students will visit two Web sites in this lesson. The first explores the mountain gorilla, its habitat in the Virungas of Rwanda, and the effects of civil war on this endangered species. The second is the site of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. After browsing these sites, students will answer several questions, and then create a flyer promoting efforts to save the mountain gorilla.

National Geography Standards:
Standard 14: The geographically informed person knows and understands how human actions modify the physical environment.
Standard 16: The geographically informed person knows and understands the changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources.

Instructional Objectives

1. The student will be able to describe the mountain gorilla and its habitat.
2. The student will be able to list factors that threaten the mountain gorilla with extinction.
3. The student will be able to create a flyer promoting efforts to save the mountain gorilla.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. The Virungas are mountains in the very center of Africa—in Rwanda—and are the habitat of mountain gorillas.
2. 3; the mountain gorilla
3. 450; 320
4. Because of the violence in the area western researchers, game wardens, and anti-poaching staff have left. This leaves the gorillas vulnerable to poachers. Thousands of refugees have entered the area. Their presence threatens the habitat of the mountain gorilla.
5. Flyers will vary.

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