Hi Taal.... Thanks for your comments. I was just commenting in general terms and am certainly not an expert in Gorilla Conservation. I do know there are some situations, and especially with Birds like the Hyacinth Macaw, where local Guides have been trained to assist groups like ours that visit their locations in Brazil. A heck of a lot better alternative than yanking them out of the wild. So, I'm not sure if it has had a good impact yet or not and certainly not sure if the model could every appy to Gorillas or other Primates. Kind of sad when you see what some of their parts are sold for!
Thank you. Mike Hi Mike, I'm not sure about making better local opportunities as a conservation strategy in this case. It's my understanding that gorilla poaching is driven by the sale of their parts in cities. It's difficult to imagine these enterprises unable to find a labor supply. Perhaps the stick would work better than the carrot. Some bioeconomic models of illegal hunting suggest it is more effective to penalize the market at point of sale rather than the poacher. I'm sure Uganda takes gorilla poaching very seriously already since they are a national treasure and source of tourism revenue. But what can be done about this? Is there a role for conservation science? Taal ---------- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and your e-mail address. After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. Sincerely, J. Michael Nolan, Director Rainforest and Reef ****************************************************************************************** "Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology" Destinations that we Specialize in: North America....Alaska (Southeast and the Interior), Hawaii, British Columbia, the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park. Caribbean....Curacao Central America....Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panamá. South America....Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and The Galápagos Islands, Péru, including Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Mexico....The Baja Peninsula (especially during the Spring Whale Migration and Breeding season). East Africa....Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar Island. Australia and New Zealand. Birding, Photography, along with Home and Garden Tours are available upon request to Most Destinations that we offer. The following "Research/Conservation Expeditions" are now also available upon request...Endangered Species of Brazil; Macaws and Primates of the Peruvian Amazon (Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone) and Endangered Sea Turtles of Costa Rica (latinamericanseaturtles.org or widecast.org). Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs are available in Costa Rica, Panamá, Ecuador, Péru, Bolivia and Spain. Sea Kayaking is available in British Columbia, Southeast Alaska, Baja Mexico, Belize and The Galápagos Islands. References/Comments from past Group Leaders are at our Website, many more are available upon request. Rainforest and Reef 161 Main St. Coopersville, MI 49404 Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546 Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 Fax: 1.616.604.0546 Google Talk/MS IM/Skype: travelwithrandr AOL IM: buddythemacaw E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses Web: http://rainforestandreef.org (under revision for 2013 and beyond) ******************************************************************************************
