Discovering the kingdom of gorillas in Africa

Scientists from the American Association for Conservation of Nature say they have found more than 125,000 gorillas in two contiguous areas of the Republic of Congo.

Two areas with live gorillas are Ndoki-Likouala and Ntokou-Pikounda.

Studies from 1980 to now predict the number of gorillas living in lowland areas concentrated in seven countries in Central Africa, less than 100 thousand. Since then, scientists believe that their numbers are reduced by at least half due to illness and hunting. The World Conservation Organization has included this species in the list of 'Critically Endangered Animals', meaning it is highly endangered.

The Nature Conservancy said that they had thoroughly scrutinized the forests and swamps in the two contiguous areas of the northern Congo to count the gorillas in the hope of obtaining the correct numbers. Monkeys nest from leaves and twigs at night to sleep. There are about 73,000 children living in Ntokou-Pikounda and 52,000 children in Ndoki-Likouala.

Many animal protection organizations were excited to hear the report of the Nature Conservation Association. However, scientists warn that many gorillas live outside the protected areas of the Congo, although the government has pledged to set up a new national park in Ntokou-Pikounda.