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The Rare Mountain Gorilla
The Rare Mountain Gorilla

Endangered Species Given New Protection
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Among those added to the Appendix II was the strange-tailed tyrant, a South American species of bird whose population has significantly declined in Brazil due to extensive damage to its natural habitat.

Central Asia's Bukhara deer was added to both appendices as poaching and pesticide contamination from cotton fields threaten their numbers, up to nearly 900 from a mere 350 a decade ago, they said.

The world's second largest shark, the basking shark, was also added to both listings because climate change affects the production of plankton, one of the creature's primary food sources, they added.
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As the conference wrapped up, Britain's environment department pledged $170,000 (145,000 euros) to organize and fund a conference to address the plight of migrating birds of prey, officials said.

All of the 211 types of birds of prey, 60 of which are migratory, have already been listed to Appendix I or II of the Convention on Migratory Species.

Nearly 60 percent of predatory birds and owls are threatened with extinction as a result of poisoning, illegal trade or loss of habitat, the U.N. Environment Program said.

Britain's biodiversity minister Jim Knight noted that predatory birds are often "sentinels for environmental change" because of their vulnerability to pollution and climate change.

"We should respect them and conserve them for this, too," he said.

Earlier in the week, delegates to the conference created a global early warning system for bird flu, signed an agreement to protect West African elephants and urged new measures to protect dolphins and other sea mammals.


Name: Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei)
Primary Classification: Hominidae (Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Orangutans, and Humans)
Location: The Virunga volcanoes, which separate Zaire from Uganda and Rwanda.
Habitat: Montane tropical rainforest.
Diet: Mostly roots, leaves, and stems. Also bark, wood, roots, flowers, fruit, fungi, and invertebrates.
Size: Up to 6 ft in length and 450 lbs in weight.
Description: Black, long, silky fur. Hairless face, ears, hands and feet. Broad head with short muzzle. Prominent brow rdige. Wide, lared nostrils. Large jaw muscles, broad teeth and long canines. Small eyes and ears. Robust build. Long, muscular arms. Short legs. No tail.
Cool Facts: They are the world's largest primates. They are shy and retiring rather than aggressive, and will avoid conflict unless severely threatened. Dominant adult males develop a silver patch of hair on their backs; they are called silverbacks.
Conservation Status: Endangered
Major Threats: Deforestation, hunting and trophy poaching.
What Can I Do?: Visit The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society's Gorilla Conservation site for information on how you can help.

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Picture(s): AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam |

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