Gorillas on the Edge

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosted the world premiere of "Gorillas on the Edge", a new film from National Geographic Explorer, at a special screening at United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday evening, 8 December.

With an estimated population of only 620 mountain gorillas surviving along the frontiers of Rwanda, Congo and Uganda, these great apes are the most critically endangered of all humankind's closest living relatives. Hosted by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, National Geographic Television and UNEP, with the support of the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations, the film will feature the latest and most promising applications of high technology in field research and land use planning aimed at protecting and conserving Rwanda's endangered and legendary gorilla population.

Despite weighing up to 500 pounds, gorillas are shy, plant-eaters that live in small, tightly knit social groups. They face increasing threats from a variety of sources - habitat loss, civil unrest, illegal hunting, disease, encroachment of human settlements and agriculture, uncontrolled tourism and illegal trade. Their survival is dependent on cooperative working relationships among international wildlife groups, the donor community, national authorities and local communities. "UNEP hopes that by hosting the premiere screening of this inspiring film, it will encourage all of us to further protect and preserve our endangered wildlife and their habitat by presenting innovative and technically sound solutions to our environmental challenges", said Adnan Z. Amin, Director of UNEP's Regional Office for North America.

Among the foremost groups working on the gorillas' behalf is the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, which was founded by the late Dr. Dian Fossey in 1978 to preserve and protect the world's remaining mountain gorillas and their habitat in Central Africa. The Fund works in collaboration with government agencies and international partners to provide assistance to surrounding communities through education, training and economic development initiatives. Dr. Fossey was murdered in her cabin at Karisoke camp, in the Rwanda Parc National des Volcans, in December 1985. Her successor at the research centre, Dr. Elizabeth Williamson, will be among the honoured guests for the film's premiere at the United Nations.

Dr. Fossey's autobiography "Gorillas in the Mist" was made into an award-winning feature film starring Sigourney Weaver, who now serves as the Fund's Honorary Chairperson. Ms Weaver is also scheduled to be in attendance at the film's screening, where she will be presented with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Conservation Award for her extraordinary and sustained efforts on behalf of the Fund. The film will make its broadcast premiere on the US cable network CNBC on Sunday, 12 December 1999.