1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

Of Apes and Lumberjacks

September 15, 2014

The rainforests of the Republic of Congo are home to the rare lowland gorillas. The majority live outside the national parks in areas that are open to logging operations.

https://p.dw.com/p/1DCWf
Image: WWF/Brent Stirton

Tropical ecologists are at work on a concept that would allow limited harvesting of trees without destroying the gorillas' habitat. They take censuses of both trees and gorillas and mark the individual trees for felling. Just over one quarter of the country's total rainforest area remains entirely off limits to lumberjacks. It appears the ecologists have found a happy balance.

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Watch video

Watch video

The rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo are home to the rare lowland gorillas. Tropical ecologists are at work on a concept that would allow limited harvesting of trees without destroying the gorillas' habitat. It appears the ecologists have found a happy balance.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 15, 201404:07 min