The solution to saving the world’s dwindling number of gorillas is in our hands. Literally.Mobile phones are useful to humans but, sadly, they are deadly for our close animal relative. They contain a mineral called coltan, essential for producing electric capacitors. Most of the world’s coltan is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a major habitat for primates. Unfortunately, coltan mining has opened the way for deforestation and gorilla poaching.So, last October, celebrated conservationist Jane Goodall launched a mobile phone recycling program at Melbourne Zoo, with two objectives: to recycle coltan and cut demand for coltan mining, and to raise funds to pay for extra park rangers to prevent gorilla poaching.To read this report in The Age or The Sydney Morning Herald in full, see:
www.theage.com.au/national/phone-plan-answers-call-to-save-gorillas-20090321-951m.html
www.smh.com.au/national/phone-plan-answers-call-to-save-gorillas-20090321-951m.html
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