View allAll Photos Tagged Finalization
It finalizes stop in the train.
-
La ultima parada en el tren.
www.facebook.com/pages/Elena-Pardo-Photography/1245488410...
finalizes his football commitment to Bentley (Mass.) with his parents, Maura and Kevin, and coach Michael Murphy (center, back).
District Football Tournament 2012 finalized. Jang Bazar A football Team clinched final Trophy. Best exhibition of paragliding enthralled thousands of spectator during the final match.
By: Gul Hamaad Farooqi
CHITRAL: District Football tournament 2012 finalized. Some 42 football teams participated in the tournament. The final match was played between Danin Lasht and Jang Bazar A football teams. Jang Bazar team defeated his rival team with 4 goals than 1 goal. In first half Jang Bazar scored 3 goals while Danin Lasht could not score any goal. In second half Jan Bazar scored another goal and success to score 4 goals but Danin Lasht team score only one goal after half time. Shahzada Amanur Rehman of Royal Family grand son of former Mehtari Chitral (Ruler of Chitral state) was chief guest on the occasion. The tournament was sponsored by Relief International who work on eradicating of zonosis diseases in Chitral including other parts of the country. Members of Chitral Paragliding Association under Supervision of Mirajuddin also demonstrated of their skill. Local paraglide exhibited of paragliding with a very best way during the final match and they landed
successfully in the play ground by enthralling thousands of spectators and were warmly appreciated by participants.
Addressing to the spectators and participants Hussain Ahmad said that Chitral youth have talent and fond of Football but unfortunately there is no play ground for them. He demanded for establishment of a public stadium for giving an opportunity to local players for improving match and their skill. He also offer Shahzada Amanur Rehman as a chief patron of football association. Chief guest distributed trophy, cups and awards among the players. Addressing on the occasion he announced of arranging Shahzada Shujaur Rehman memorial football tournament annually which will be celebrated with the name of his late father. He also given special award to Abdul Waheed Captain of Jang Bazar team by declaring him Player of the tournament. Rafiullah of Danin Lasht team was declared as man of the match. chief guest announced 20000 for winner and 10000 for runner up team. Dr. Riaz district program Manager of Relief International also announced for launching football
tournament every year to encourage local players. He also stressed upon the participants to support their health teams in eradicating of Zonotic diseases from Chitral which is communicable from animal to human and from humanbeing to animal. Thousands of spectators were present on the occasion who participated in final match. At last players of both team performed folk dance on the beating of drum while during the whole tournament band party energetic and provoked the players.
G.H. Farooqi C/O Manager bank Islami Main branch Chitral phone No 0943-320737, 0943-316052, 0943-414418 , 03025989602, 03337069572, 03159698446, 03469002167
email: gulhamad@gmail.com
finalizing her nest, which has been reused several times by her species and last year by Osmia cornuta. She is using part of the cornuta material to make her own more elaborate closure. She has been bringing in at lot of Chelidonium pollen, some of which is seen spillt to the lower left.
The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. There are two populations. One is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within three National Parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. The other is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some primatologists consider the Bwindi population in Uganda may be a separate subspecies,[3] though no description has been finalized. As of September 2016, the estimated number of mountain gorillas remaining is about 880.[4]
Gorilla taxonomy
Mountain gorillas are descendants of ancestral monkeys and apes found in Africa and Arabia during the start of the Oligocene epoch (34-24 million years ago). The fossil record provides evidence of the hominoid primates (apes) found in east Africa about 22–32 million years ago. The fossil record of the area where mountain gorillas live is particularly poor and so its evolutionary history is not clear.[5] It was about 9 million years ago that the group of primates that were to evolve into gorillas split from their common ancestor with humans and chimps; this is when the genus Gorilla emerged. It is not certain what this early relative of the gorilla was, but it is traced back to the early ape Proconsul africanus.[6] Mountain gorillas have been isolated from eastern lowland gorillas for about 400,000 years and these two taxa separated from their western counterparts approximately 2 million years ago.[7] There has been considerable and as yet unresolved debate over the classification of mountain gorillas. The genus was first referenced as Troglodytes in 1847, but renamed to Gorilla in 1852. It was not until 1967 that the taxonomist Colin Groves proposed that all gorillas be regarded as one species (Gorilla gorilla) with three sub-species Gorilla gorilla gorilla (western lowland gorilla), Gorilla gorilla graueri (lowland gorillas found west of the Virungas) and Gorilla gorilla beringei (mountain gorillas including, Gorilla beringei found in the Virungas and Bwindi). In 2003 after a review they were divided into two species (Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei) by The World Conservation Union (IUCN).[5]
Physical description
Silverback of Ntambara group, in typical resting attitude.
The fur of the mountain gorilla, often thicker and longer than that of other gorilla species, enables them to live in colder temperatures.[8] Gorillas can be identified by nose prints unique to each individual.[9] Males, at a mean weight of 195 kg (430 lb) upright standing height of 150 cm (59 in) usually weigh twice as much as the females, at a mean of 100 kg (220 lb) and a height of 130 cm (51 in).[10] This subspecies is on average the second largest species of primate; only the eastern lowland gorilla, the other subspecies of eastern gorilla, is larger.[citation needed] Adult males have more pronounced bony crests on the top and back of their skulls, giving their heads a more conical shape. These crests anchor the powerful temporalis muscles, which attach to the lower jaw (mandible). Adult females also have these crests, but they are less pronounced.[9] Like all gorillas they feature dark brown eyes framed by a black ring around the iris. Adult males are called silverbacks because a saddle of gray or silver-colored hair develops on their backs with age. The hair on their backs is shorter than on most other body parts, and their arm hair is especially long. Fully erect, males reach 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) in height, with an arm span of 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) and weigh 220 kg (490 lb).[11] The tallest silverback recorded was a 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) with an arm span of 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in), a chest of 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), and a weight of 219 kg (483 lb), shot in Alimbongo, northern Kivu in May 1938. There is an unconfirmed record of another individual, shot in 1932, that was 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) and weighed 218.6 kg (482 lb).
The mountain gorilla is primarily terrestrial and quadrupedal. However, it will climb into fruiting trees if the branches can carry its weight, and it is capable of running bipedally up to 6 m (20 ft).[citation needed] Like all great apes other than humans, its arms are longer than its legs. It moves by knuckle-walking (like the common chimpanzee, but unlike the bonobo and both orangutan species), supporting its weight on the backs of its curved fingers rather than its palms.[citation needed]
The mountain gorilla is diurnal, most active between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.[citation needed] Many of these hours are spent eating, as large quantities of food are needed to sustain its massive bulk. It forages in early morning, rests during the late morning and around midday, and in the afternoon it forages again before resting at night. Each gorilla builds a nest from surrounding vegetation to sleep in, constructing a new one every evening. Only infants sleep in the same nest as their mothers. They leave their sleeping sites when the sun rises at around 6 am, except when it is cold and overcast; then they often stay longer in their nests.[12]
Habitat and ecology
Adult male feeding on insects in a rotting tree trunk
The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests and of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200–4,300 metres (7,200–14,100 ft). Most are found on the slopes of three of the dormant volcanoes: Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Visoke.[13] The vegetation is very dense at the bottom of the mountains, becoming more sparse at higher elevations, and the forests where the mountain gorilla lives are often cloudy, misty and cold.[14]
The mountain gorilla is primarily a herbivore; the majority of its diet is composed of the leaves, shoots and stems (85.8%) of 142 plant species. It also feeds on bark (6.9%), roots (3.3%), flowers (2.3%), and fruit (1.7%), as well as small invertebrates. (0.1%).[15] Adult males can eat up to 34 kilograms (75 lb) of vegetation a day, while a female can eat as much as 18 kilograms (40 lb).[citation needed]
The home range size (the area used by one group of gorillas during one year) is influenced by availability of food sources and usually includes several vegetation zones. George Schaller identified ten distinct zones, including: the bamboo forests at 2,200–2,800 metres (7,200–9,200 ft); the Hagenia forests at 2,800–3,400 metres (9,200–11,200 ft); and the giant senecio zone at 3,400–4,300 metres (11,200–14,100 ft).[12] The mountain gorilla spends most of its time in the Hagenia forests, where galium vines are found year-round. All parts of this vine are consumed: leaves, stems, flowers, and berries. It travels to the bamboo forests during the few months of the year fresh shoots are available, and it climbs into subalpine regions to eat the soft centers of giant senecio trees.[13]
Behaviour
Social structure
The mountain gorilla is highly social, and lives in relatively stable, cohesive groups held together by long-term bonds between adult males and females. Relationships among females are relatively weak.[16] These groups are nonterritorial; the silverback generally defends his group rather than his territory. In the Virunga mountain gorillas, the average length of tenure for a dominant silverback is 4.7 years.[17]
61% of groups are composed of one adult male and a number of females and 36% contain more than one adult male. The remaining gorillas are either lone males or exclusively male groups, usually made up of one mature male and a few younger males.[18] Group sizes vary from five to thirty, with an average of ten individuals. A typical group contains: one dominant silverback, who is the group's undisputed leader; another subordinate silverback (usually a younger brother, half-brother, or even an adult son of the dominant silverback); one or two blackbacks, who act as sentries; three to four sexually mature females, who are ordinarily bonded to the dominant silverback for life; and from three to six juveniles and infants.[19]
Most males, and about 60% of females, leave their natal group. Males leave when they are about 11 years old, and often the separation process is slow: they spend more and more time on the edge of the group until they leave altogether.[20] They may travel alone or with an all-male group for 2–5 years before they can attract females to join them and form a new group. Females typically emigrate when they are about 8 years old, either transferring directly to an established group or beginning a new one with a lone male. Females often transfer to a new group several times before they settle down with a certain silverback male.[21]
The dominant silverback generally determines the movements of the group, leading it to appropriate feeding sites throughout the year. He also mediates conflicts within the group and protects it from external threats.[14] When the group is attacked by humans, leopards, or other gorillas, the silverback will protect them even at the cost of his own life.[22] He is the center of attention during rest sessions, and young animals frequently stay close to him and include him in their games. If a mother dies or leaves the group, the silverback is usually the one who looks after her abandoned offspring, even allowing them to sleep in his nest.[23] Experienced silverbacks are capable of removing poachers' snares from the hands or feet of their group members.[24]
When the silverback dies or is killed by disease, accident, or poachers, the family group may be disrupted.[13] Unless there is an accepted male descendant capable of taking over his position, the group will either split up or adopt an unrelated male. When a new silverback joins the family group, he may kill all of the infants of the dead silverback.[25] Infanticide has not been observed in stable groups.
Analysis of mountain gorilla genomes by whole genome sequencing indicates that a recent decline in their population size has led to extensive inbreeding.[26] As an apparent result, individuals are typically homozygous for 34% of their genome sequence. Furthermore, homozygosity and the expression of deleterious recessive mutations as consequences of inbreeding have likely resulted in the purging of severely deleterious mutations from the population.
Aggression
Although strong and powerful, the mountain gorillas are generally gentle and very shy.[22] Severe aggression is rare in stable groups, but when two mountain gorilla groups meet, the two silverbacks can sometimes engage in a fight to the death, using their canines to cause deep, gaping injuries.[19] For this reason, conflicts are most often resolved by displays and other threat behaviors that are intended to intimidate without becoming physical. The ritualized charge display is unique to gorillas. The entire sequence has nine steps: (1) progressively quickening hooting, (2) symbolic feeding, (3) rising bipedally, (4) throwing vegetation, (5) chest-beating with cupped hands, (6) one leg kick, (7) sideways running four-legged, (8) slapping and tearing vegetation, and (9) thumping the ground with palms .[27] Jill Donisthorpe stated that a male charged at her twice. In both cases the gorilla turned away, when she stood her ground.
Volcanoes National Park (French: Parc National des Volcans) lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), which are covered in rainforest and bamboo. The park was the base for the zoologist Dian Fossey.
History
Children on a farm near Volcanoes National Park
The park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Visoke and Mikeno, intended to protect the gorillas from poachers. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa. Subsequently, in 1929, the borders of the park were extended further into Rwanda and into the Belgian Congo, to form the Albert National Park, a huge area of 8090 km2, run by the Belgian colonial authorities who were in charge of both colonies.[1] In 1958, 700 hectares of the park were cleared for a human settlement.[2]
After the Congo gained independence in 1960, the park was split into two, and upon Rwandan independence in 1962 the new government agreed to maintain the park as a conservation and tourist area, despite the fact that the new republic was already suffering from overpopulation problems. The park was halved in area in 1969.[citation needed] Between 1969 and 1973, 1050 hectares of the park were cleared to grow pyrethrum.[2]
The park later became the base for the American naturalist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas. She arrived in 1967 and set up the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Visoke. From then on she spent most of her time in the park, and is widely credited with saving the gorillas from extinction by bringing their plight to the attention of the international community. She was murdered by unknown assailants at her home in 1985, a crime often attributed to the poachers she had spent her life fighting against.[3] Fossey's life later was portrayed on the big screen in the film Gorillas in the Mist, named after her autobiography. She is buried in the park in a grave close to the research center, and amongst the gorillas which became her life.
The Volcanoes National Park became a battlefield during the Rwandan Civil War, with the park headquarters being attacked in 1992. The research centre was abandoned, and all tourist activities (including visiting the gorillas) were stopped. They did not resume again until 1999 when the area was deemed to be safe and under control. There have been occasional infiltrations by Rwandan rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda in subsequent years, but these are always stopped quickly by the Rwandan army and there is thought to be no threat to tourism in the park.
Flora
Vegetation varies considerably due to the large altitudinal range within the park. There is some lower montane forest (now mainly lost to agriculture). Between 2400 and 2500 m, there is Neoboutonia forest. From 2500 to 3200 m Arundinaria alpina (bamboo) forest occurs, covering about 30% of the park area. From 2600 to 3600 m, mainly on the more humid slopes in the south and west, is Hagenia-Hypericum forest, which covers about 30% of the park. This is one of the largest forests of Hagenia abyssinica. The vegetation from 3500 to 4200 m is characterised by Lobelia wollastonii, L. lanurensis, and Senecio erici-rosenii and covers about 25% of the park. From 4300 to 4500 m grassland occurs. Secondary thicket, meadows, marshes, swamps and small lakes also occur, but their total area is relatively small.
Fauna
The park is best known for the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Other mammals include: golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), black-fronted duiker (Cephalophus niger), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus). There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare.[4] There are 178 recorded bird species, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Ruwenzori Mountains.[5]
Tourism in the park
Young gorilla grabs tourist at Volcanoes National Park
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) runs several activities for tourists, including:[6]
Gorilla visits - as of January 2015, there are ten habituated gorilla groups open to tourists, allowing for a total of 80 permits per day. Tourists report at the park head office by 7:00 for a pre-tracking briefing. Once tourists meet the gorillas they spend an hour with them.
Golden monkey visits.
Climbing of Karisimbi volcano - this is a two-day trek with overnight camping at an altitude of 3,800 m.
Climbing of Bisoke volcano - one day.
Tour of the lakes and caves.
Visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey.
Iby’Iwacu cultural village tour
The majority of revenue from tourism goes towards maintaining the park and conserving the wildlife. The remainder goes to the government and (around 10%)[citation needed] to local projects in the area to help local people benefit from the large revenue stream generated by the park.
District Football Tournament 2012 finalized. Jang Bazar A football Team clinched final Trophy. Best exhibition of paragliding enthralled thousands of spectator during the final match.
By: Gul Hamaad Farooqi
CHITRAL: District Football tournament 2012 finalized. Some 42 football teams participated in the tournament. The final match was played between Danin Lasht and Jang Bazar A football teams. Jang Bazar team defeated his rival team with 4 goals than 1 goal. In first half Jang Bazar scored 3 goals while Danin Lasht could not score any goal. In second half Jan Bazar scored another goal and success to score 4 goals but Danin Lasht team score only one goal after half time. Shahzada Amanur Rehman of Royal Family grand son of former Mehtari Chitral (Ruler of Chitral state) was chief guest on the occasion. The tournament was sponsored by Relief International who work on eradicating of zonosis diseases in Chitral including other parts of the country. Members of Chitral Paragliding Association under Supervision of Mirajuddin also demonstrated of their skill. Local paraglide exhibited of paragliding with a very best way during the final match and they landed
successfully in the play ground by enthralling thousands of spectators and were warmly appreciated by participants.
Addressing to the spectators and participants Hussain Ahmad said that Chitral youth have talent and fond of Football but unfortunately there is no play ground for them. He demanded for establishment of a public stadium for giving an opportunity to local players for improving match and their skill. He also offer Shahzada Amanur Rehman as a chief patron of football association. Chief guest distributed trophy, cups and awards among the players. Addressing on the occasion he announced of arranging Shahzada Shujaur Rehman memorial football tournament annually which will be celebrated with the name of his late father. He also given special award to Abdul Waheed Captain of Jang Bazar team by declaring him Player of the tournament. Rafiullah of Danin Lasht team was declared as man of the match. chief guest announced 20000 for winner and 10000 for runner up team. Dr. Riaz district program Manager of Relief International also announced for launching football
tournament every year to encourage local players. He also stressed upon the participants to support their health teams in eradicating of Zonotic diseases from Chitral which is communicable from animal to human and from humanbeing to animal. Thousands of spectators were present on the occasion who participated in final match. At last players of both team performed folk dance on the beating of drum while during the whole tournament band party energetic and provoked the players.
G.H. Farooqi C/O Manager bank Islami Main branch Chitral phone No 0943-320737, 0943-316052, 0943-414418 , 03025989602, 03337069572, 03159698446, 03469002167
email: gulhamad@gmail.com
The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. There are two populations. One is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within three National Parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. The other is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some primatologists consider the Bwindi population in Uganda may be a separate subspecies,[3] though no description has been finalized. As of September 2016, the estimated number of mountain gorillas remaining is about 880.[4]
Gorilla taxonomy
Mountain gorillas are descendants of ancestral monkeys and apes found in Africa and Arabia during the start of the Oligocene epoch (34-24 million years ago). The fossil record provides evidence of the hominoid primates (apes) found in east Africa about 22–32 million years ago. The fossil record of the area where mountain gorillas live is particularly poor and so its evolutionary history is not clear.[5] It was about 9 million years ago that the group of primates that were to evolve into gorillas split from their common ancestor with humans and chimps; this is when the genus Gorilla emerged. It is not certain what this early relative of the gorilla was, but it is traced back to the early ape Proconsul africanus.[6] Mountain gorillas have been isolated from eastern lowland gorillas for about 400,000 years and these two taxa separated from their western counterparts approximately 2 million years ago.[7] There has been considerable and as yet unresolved debate over the classification of mountain gorillas. The genus was first referenced as Troglodytes in 1847, but renamed to Gorilla in 1852. It was not until 1967 that the taxonomist Colin Groves proposed that all gorillas be regarded as one species (Gorilla gorilla) with three sub-species Gorilla gorilla gorilla (western lowland gorilla), Gorilla gorilla graueri (lowland gorillas found west of the Virungas) and Gorilla gorilla beringei (mountain gorillas including, Gorilla beringei found in the Virungas and Bwindi). In 2003 after a review they were divided into two species (Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei) by The World Conservation Union (IUCN).[5]
Physical description
Silverback of Ntambara group, in typical resting attitude.
The fur of the mountain gorilla, often thicker and longer than that of other gorilla species, enables them to live in colder temperatures.[8] Gorillas can be identified by nose prints unique to each individual.[9] Males, at a mean weight of 195 kg (430 lb) upright standing height of 150 cm (59 in) usually weigh twice as much as the females, at a mean of 100 kg (220 lb) and a height of 130 cm (51 in).[10] This subspecies is on average the second largest species of primate; only the eastern lowland gorilla, the other subspecies of eastern gorilla, is larger.[citation needed] Adult males have more pronounced bony crests on the top and back of their skulls, giving their heads a more conical shape. These crests anchor the powerful temporalis muscles, which attach to the lower jaw (mandible). Adult females also have these crests, but they are less pronounced.[9] Like all gorillas they feature dark brown eyes framed by a black ring around the iris. Adult males are called silverbacks because a saddle of gray or silver-colored hair develops on their backs with age. The hair on their backs is shorter than on most other body parts, and their arm hair is especially long. Fully erect, males reach 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) in height, with an arm span of 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) and weigh 220 kg (490 lb).[11] The tallest silverback recorded was a 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) with an arm span of 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in), a chest of 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), and a weight of 219 kg (483 lb), shot in Alimbongo, northern Kivu in May 1938. There is an unconfirmed record of another individual, shot in 1932, that was 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) and weighed 218.6 kg (482 lb).
The mountain gorilla is primarily terrestrial and quadrupedal. However, it will climb into fruiting trees if the branches can carry its weight, and it is capable of running bipedally up to 6 m (20 ft).[citation needed] Like all great apes other than humans, its arms are longer than its legs. It moves by knuckle-walking (like the common chimpanzee, but unlike the bonobo and both orangutan species), supporting its weight on the backs of its curved fingers rather than its palms.[citation needed]
The mountain gorilla is diurnal, most active between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.[citation needed] Many of these hours are spent eating, as large quantities of food are needed to sustain its massive bulk. It forages in early morning, rests during the late morning and around midday, and in the afternoon it forages again before resting at night. Each gorilla builds a nest from surrounding vegetation to sleep in, constructing a new one every evening. Only infants sleep in the same nest as their mothers. They leave their sleeping sites when the sun rises at around 6 am, except when it is cold and overcast; then they often stay longer in their nests.[12]
Habitat and ecology
Adult male feeding on insects in a rotting tree trunk
The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests and of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200–4,300 metres (7,200–14,100 ft). Most are found on the slopes of three of the dormant volcanoes: Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Visoke.[13] The vegetation is very dense at the bottom of the mountains, becoming more sparse at higher elevations, and the forests where the mountain gorilla lives are often cloudy, misty and cold.[14]
The mountain gorilla is primarily a herbivore; the majority of its diet is composed of the leaves, shoots and stems (85.8%) of 142 plant species. It also feeds on bark (6.9%), roots (3.3%), flowers (2.3%), and fruit (1.7%), as well as small invertebrates. (0.1%).[15] Adult males can eat up to 34 kilograms (75 lb) of vegetation a day, while a female can eat as much as 18 kilograms (40 lb).[citation needed]
The home range size (the area used by one group of gorillas during one year) is influenced by availability of food sources and usually includes several vegetation zones. George Schaller identified ten distinct zones, including: the bamboo forests at 2,200–2,800 metres (7,200–9,200 ft); the Hagenia forests at 2,800–3,400 metres (9,200–11,200 ft); and the giant senecio zone at 3,400–4,300 metres (11,200–14,100 ft).[12] The mountain gorilla spends most of its time in the Hagenia forests, where galium vines are found year-round. All parts of this vine are consumed: leaves, stems, flowers, and berries. It travels to the bamboo forests during the few months of the year fresh shoots are available, and it climbs into subalpine regions to eat the soft centers of giant senecio trees.[13]
Behaviour
Social structure
The mountain gorilla is highly social, and lives in relatively stable, cohesive groups held together by long-term bonds between adult males and females. Relationships among females are relatively weak.[16] These groups are nonterritorial; the silverback generally defends his group rather than his territory. In the Virunga mountain gorillas, the average length of tenure for a dominant silverback is 4.7 years.[17]
61% of groups are composed of one adult male and a number of females and 36% contain more than one adult male. The remaining gorillas are either lone males or exclusively male groups, usually made up of one mature male and a few younger males.[18] Group sizes vary from five to thirty, with an average of ten individuals. A typical group contains: one dominant silverback, who is the group's undisputed leader; another subordinate silverback (usually a younger brother, half-brother, or even an adult son of the dominant silverback); one or two blackbacks, who act as sentries; three to four sexually mature females, who are ordinarily bonded to the dominant silverback for life; and from three to six juveniles and infants.[19]
Most males, and about 60% of females, leave their natal group. Males leave when they are about 11 years old, and often the separation process is slow: they spend more and more time on the edge of the group until they leave altogether.[20] They may travel alone or with an all-male group for 2–5 years before they can attract females to join them and form a new group. Females typically emigrate when they are about 8 years old, either transferring directly to an established group or beginning a new one with a lone male. Females often transfer to a new group several times before they settle down with a certain silverback male.[21]
The dominant silverback generally determines the movements of the group, leading it to appropriate feeding sites throughout the year. He also mediates conflicts within the group and protects it from external threats.[14] When the group is attacked by humans, leopards, or other gorillas, the silverback will protect them even at the cost of his own life.[22] He is the center of attention during rest sessions, and young animals frequently stay close to him and include him in their games. If a mother dies or leaves the group, the silverback is usually the one who looks after her abandoned offspring, even allowing them to sleep in his nest.[23] Experienced silverbacks are capable of removing poachers' snares from the hands or feet of their group members.[24]
When the silverback dies or is killed by disease, accident, or poachers, the family group may be disrupted.[13] Unless there is an accepted male descendant capable of taking over his position, the group will either split up or adopt an unrelated male. When a new silverback joins the family group, he may kill all of the infants of the dead silverback.[25] Infanticide has not been observed in stable groups.
Analysis of mountain gorilla genomes by whole genome sequencing indicates that a recent decline in their population size has led to extensive inbreeding.[26] As an apparent result, individuals are typically homozygous for 34% of their genome sequence. Furthermore, homozygosity and the expression of deleterious recessive mutations as consequences of inbreeding have likely resulted in the purging of severely deleterious mutations from the population.
Aggression
Although strong and powerful, the mountain gorillas are generally gentle and very shy.[22] Severe aggression is rare in stable groups, but when two mountain gorilla groups meet, the two silverbacks can sometimes engage in a fight to the death, using their canines to cause deep, gaping injuries.[19] For this reason, conflicts are most often resolved by displays and other threat behaviors that are intended to intimidate without becoming physical. The ritualized charge display is unique to gorillas. The entire sequence has nine steps: (1) progressively quickening hooting, (2) symbolic feeding, (3) rising bipedally, (4) throwing vegetation, (5) chest-beating with cupped hands, (6) one leg kick, (7) sideways running four-legged, (8) slapping and tearing vegetation, and (9) thumping the ground with palms .[27] Jill Donisthorpe stated that a male charged at her twice. In both cases the gorilla turned away, when she stood her ground.
Volcanoes National Park (French: Parc National des Volcans) lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), which are covered in rainforest and bamboo. The park was the base for the zoologist Dian Fossey.
History
Children on a farm near Volcanoes National Park
The park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Visoke and Mikeno, intended to protect the gorillas from poachers. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa. Subsequently, in 1929, the borders of the park were extended further into Rwanda and into the Belgian Congo, to form the Albert National Park, a huge area of 8090 km2, run by the Belgian colonial authorities who were in charge of both colonies.[1] In 1958, 700 hectares of the park were cleared for a human settlement.[2]
After the Congo gained independence in 1960, the park was split into two, and upon Rwandan independence in 1962 the new government agreed to maintain the park as a conservation and tourist area, despite the fact that the new republic was already suffering from overpopulation problems. The park was halved in area in 1969.[citation needed] Between 1969 and 1973, 1050 hectares of the park were cleared to grow pyrethrum.[2]
The park later became the base for the American naturalist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas. She arrived in 1967 and set up the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Visoke. From then on she spent most of her time in the park, and is widely credited with saving the gorillas from extinction by bringing their plight to the attention of the international community. She was murdered by unknown assailants at her home in 1985, a crime often attributed to the poachers she had spent her life fighting against.[3] Fossey's life later was portrayed on the big screen in the film Gorillas in the Mist, named after her autobiography. She is buried in the park in a grave close to the research center, and amongst the gorillas which became her life.
The Volcanoes National Park became a battlefield during the Rwandan Civil War, with the park headquarters being attacked in 1992. The research centre was abandoned, and all tourist activities (including visiting the gorillas) were stopped. They did not resume again until 1999 when the area was deemed to be safe and under control. There have been occasional infiltrations by Rwandan rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda in subsequent years, but these are always stopped quickly by the Rwandan army and there is thought to be no threat to tourism in the park.
Flora
Vegetation varies considerably due to the large altitudinal range within the park. There is some lower montane forest (now mainly lost to agriculture). Between 2400 and 2500 m, there is Neoboutonia forest. From 2500 to 3200 m Arundinaria alpina (bamboo) forest occurs, covering about 30% of the park area. From 2600 to 3600 m, mainly on the more humid slopes in the south and west, is Hagenia-Hypericum forest, which covers about 30% of the park. This is one of the largest forests of Hagenia abyssinica. The vegetation from 3500 to 4200 m is characterised by Lobelia wollastonii, L. lanurensis, and Senecio erici-rosenii and covers about 25% of the park. From 4300 to 4500 m grassland occurs. Secondary thicket, meadows, marshes, swamps and small lakes also occur, but their total area is relatively small.
Fauna
The park is best known for the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Other mammals include: golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), black-fronted duiker (Cephalophus niger), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus). There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare.[4] There are 178 recorded bird species, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Ruwenzori Mountains.[5]
Tourism in the park
Young gorilla grabs tourist at Volcanoes National Park
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) runs several activities for tourists, including:[6]
Gorilla visits - as of January 2015, there are ten habituated gorilla groups open to tourists, allowing for a total of 80 permits per day. Tourists report at the park head office by 7:00 for a pre-tracking briefing. Once tourists meet the gorillas they spend an hour with them.
Golden monkey visits.
Climbing of Karisimbi volcano - this is a two-day trek with overnight camping at an altitude of 3,800 m.
Climbing of Bisoke volcano - one day.
Tour of the lakes and caves.
Visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey.
Iby’Iwacu cultural village tour
The majority of revenue from tourism goes towards maintaining the park and conserving the wildlife. The remainder goes to the government and (around 10%)[citation needed] to local projects in the area to help local people benefit from the large revenue stream generated by the park.
The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. There are two populations. One is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within three National Parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. The other is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some primatologists consider the Bwindi population in Uganda may be a separate subspecies,[3] though no description has been finalized. As of September 2016, the estimated number of mountain gorillas remaining is about 880.[4]
Gorilla taxonomy
Mountain gorillas are descendants of ancestral monkeys and apes found in Africa and Arabia during the start of the Oligocene epoch (34-24 million years ago). The fossil record provides evidence of the hominoid primates (apes) found in east Africa about 22–32 million years ago. The fossil record of the area where mountain gorillas live is particularly poor and so its evolutionary history is not clear.[5] It was about 9 million years ago that the group of primates that were to evolve into gorillas split from their common ancestor with humans and chimps; this is when the genus Gorilla emerged. It is not certain what this early relative of the gorilla was, but it is traced back to the early ape Proconsul africanus.[6] Mountain gorillas have been isolated from eastern lowland gorillas for about 400,000 years and these two taxa separated from their western counterparts approximately 2 million years ago.[7] There has been considerable and as yet unresolved debate over the classification of mountain gorillas. The genus was first referenced as Troglodytes in 1847, but renamed to Gorilla in 1852. It was not until 1967 that the taxonomist Colin Groves proposed that all gorillas be regarded as one species (Gorilla gorilla) with three sub-species Gorilla gorilla gorilla (western lowland gorilla), Gorilla gorilla graueri (lowland gorillas found west of the Virungas) and Gorilla gorilla beringei (mountain gorillas including, Gorilla beringei found in the Virungas and Bwindi). In 2003 after a review they were divided into two species (Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei) by The World Conservation Union (IUCN).[5]
Physical description
Silverback of Ntambara group, in typical resting attitude.
The fur of the mountain gorilla, often thicker and longer than that of other gorilla species, enables them to live in colder temperatures.[8] Gorillas can be identified by nose prints unique to each individual.[9] Males, at a mean weight of 195 kg (430 lb) upright standing height of 150 cm (59 in) usually weigh twice as much as the females, at a mean of 100 kg (220 lb) and a height of 130 cm (51 in).[10] This subspecies is on average the second largest species of primate; only the eastern lowland gorilla, the other subspecies of eastern gorilla, is larger.[citation needed] Adult males have more pronounced bony crests on the top and back of their skulls, giving their heads a more conical shape. These crests anchor the powerful temporalis muscles, which attach to the lower jaw (mandible). Adult females also have these crests, but they are less pronounced.[9] Like all gorillas they feature dark brown eyes framed by a black ring around the iris. Adult males are called silverbacks because a saddle of gray or silver-colored hair develops on their backs with age. The hair on their backs is shorter than on most other body parts, and their arm hair is especially long. Fully erect, males reach 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) in height, with an arm span of 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) and weigh 220 kg (490 lb).[11] The tallest silverback recorded was a 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) with an arm span of 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in), a chest of 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), and a weight of 219 kg (483 lb), shot in Alimbongo, northern Kivu in May 1938. There is an unconfirmed record of another individual, shot in 1932, that was 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) and weighed 218.6 kg (482 lb).
The mountain gorilla is primarily terrestrial and quadrupedal. However, it will climb into fruiting trees if the branches can carry its weight, and it is capable of running bipedally up to 6 m (20 ft).[citation needed] Like all great apes other than humans, its arms are longer than its legs. It moves by knuckle-walking (like the common chimpanzee, but unlike the bonobo and both orangutan species), supporting its weight on the backs of its curved fingers rather than its palms.[citation needed]
The mountain gorilla is diurnal, most active between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.[citation needed] Many of these hours are spent eating, as large quantities of food are needed to sustain its massive bulk. It forages in early morning, rests during the late morning and around midday, and in the afternoon it forages again before resting at night. Each gorilla builds a nest from surrounding vegetation to sleep in, constructing a new one every evening. Only infants sleep in the same nest as their mothers. They leave their sleeping sites when the sun rises at around 6 am, except when it is cold and overcast; then they often stay longer in their nests.[12]
Habitat and ecology
Adult male feeding on insects in a rotting tree trunk
The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests and of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200–4,300 metres (7,200–14,100 ft). Most are found on the slopes of three of the dormant volcanoes: Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Visoke.[13] The vegetation is very dense at the bottom of the mountains, becoming more sparse at higher elevations, and the forests where the mountain gorilla lives are often cloudy, misty and cold.[14]
The mountain gorilla is primarily a herbivore; the majority of its diet is composed of the leaves, shoots and stems (85.8%) of 142 plant species. It also feeds on bark (6.9%), roots (3.3%), flowers (2.3%), and fruit (1.7%), as well as small invertebrates. (0.1%).[15] Adult males can eat up to 34 kilograms (75 lb) of vegetation a day, while a female can eat as much as 18 kilograms (40 lb).[citation needed]
The home range size (the area used by one group of gorillas during one year) is influenced by availability of food sources and usually includes several vegetation zones. George Schaller identified ten distinct zones, including: the bamboo forests at 2,200–2,800 metres (7,200–9,200 ft); the Hagenia forests at 2,800–3,400 metres (9,200–11,200 ft); and the giant senecio zone at 3,400–4,300 metres (11,200–14,100 ft).[12] The mountain gorilla spends most of its time in the Hagenia forests, where galium vines are found year-round. All parts of this vine are consumed: leaves, stems, flowers, and berries. It travels to the bamboo forests during the few months of the year fresh shoots are available, and it climbs into subalpine regions to eat the soft centers of giant senecio trees.[13]
Behaviour
Social structure
The mountain gorilla is highly social, and lives in relatively stable, cohesive groups held together by long-term bonds between adult males and females. Relationships among females are relatively weak.[16] These groups are nonterritorial; the silverback generally defends his group rather than his territory. In the Virunga mountain gorillas, the average length of tenure for a dominant silverback is 4.7 years.[17]
61% of groups are composed of one adult male and a number of females and 36% contain more than one adult male. The remaining gorillas are either lone males or exclusively male groups, usually made up of one mature male and a few younger males.[18] Group sizes vary from five to thirty, with an average of ten individuals. A typical group contains: one dominant silverback, who is the group's undisputed leader; another subordinate silverback (usually a younger brother, half-brother, or even an adult son of the dominant silverback); one or two blackbacks, who act as sentries; three to four sexually mature females, who are ordinarily bonded to the dominant silverback for life; and from three to six juveniles and infants.[19]
Most males, and about 60% of females, leave their natal group. Males leave when they are about 11 years old, and often the separation process is slow: they spend more and more time on the edge of the group until they leave altogether.[20] They may travel alone or with an all-male group for 2–5 years before they can attract females to join them and form a new group. Females typically emigrate when they are about 8 years old, either transferring directly to an established group or beginning a new one with a lone male. Females often transfer to a new group several times before they settle down with a certain silverback male.[21]
The dominant silverback generally determines the movements of the group, leading it to appropriate feeding sites throughout the year. He also mediates conflicts within the group and protects it from external threats.[14] When the group is attacked by humans, leopards, or other gorillas, the silverback will protect them even at the cost of his own life.[22] He is the center of attention during rest sessions, and young animals frequently stay close to him and include him in their games. If a mother dies or leaves the group, the silverback is usually the one who looks after her abandoned offspring, even allowing them to sleep in his nest.[23] Experienced silverbacks are capable of removing poachers' snares from the hands or feet of their group members.[24]
When the silverback dies or is killed by disease, accident, or poachers, the family group may be disrupted.[13] Unless there is an accepted male descendant capable of taking over his position, the group will either split up or adopt an unrelated male. When a new silverback joins the family group, he may kill all of the infants of the dead silverback.[25] Infanticide has not been observed in stable groups.
Analysis of mountain gorilla genomes by whole genome sequencing indicates that a recent decline in their population size has led to extensive inbreeding.[26] As an apparent result, individuals are typically homozygous for 34% of their genome sequence. Furthermore, homozygosity and the expression of deleterious recessive mutations as consequences of inbreeding have likely resulted in the purging of severely deleterious mutations from the population.
Aggression
Although strong and powerful, the mountain gorillas are generally gentle and very shy.[22] Severe aggression is rare in stable groups, but when two mountain gorilla groups meet, the two silverbacks can sometimes engage in a fight to the death, using their canines to cause deep, gaping injuries.[19] For this reason, conflicts are most often resolved by displays and other threat behaviors that are intended to intimidate without becoming physical. The ritualized charge display is unique to gorillas. The entire sequence has nine steps: (1) progressively quickening hooting, (2) symbolic feeding, (3) rising bipedally, (4) throwing vegetation, (5) chest-beating with cupped hands, (6) one leg kick, (7) sideways running four-legged, (8) slapping and tearing vegetation, and (9) thumping the ground with palms .[27] Jill Donisthorpe stated that a male charged at her twice. In both cases the gorilla turned away, when she stood her ground.
Volcanoes National Park (French: Parc National des Volcans) lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), which are covered in rainforest and bamboo. The park was the base for the zoologist Dian Fossey.
History
Children on a farm near Volcanoes National Park
The park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Visoke and Mikeno, intended to protect the gorillas from poachers. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa. Subsequently, in 1929, the borders of the park were extended further into Rwanda and into the Belgian Congo, to form the Albert National Park, a huge area of 8090 km2, run by the Belgian colonial authorities who were in charge of both colonies.[1] In 1958, 700 hectares of the park were cleared for a human settlement.[2]
After the Congo gained independence in 1960, the park was split into two, and upon Rwandan independence in 1962 the new government agreed to maintain the park as a conservation and tourist area, despite the fact that the new republic was already suffering from overpopulation problems. The park was halved in area in 1969.[citation needed] Between 1969 and 1973, 1050 hectares of the park were cleared to grow pyrethrum.[2]
The park later became the base for the American naturalist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas. She arrived in 1967 and set up the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Visoke. From then on she spent most of her time in the park, and is widely credited with saving the gorillas from extinction by bringing their plight to the attention of the international community. She was murdered by unknown assailants at her home in 1985, a crime often attributed to the poachers she had spent her life fighting against.[3] Fossey's life later was portrayed on the big screen in the film Gorillas in the Mist, named after her autobiography. She is buried in the park in a grave close to the research center, and amongst the gorillas which became her life.
The Volcanoes National Park became a battlefield during the Rwandan Civil War, with the park headquarters being attacked in 1992. The research centre was abandoned, and all tourist activities (including visiting the gorillas) were stopped. They did not resume again until 1999 when the area was deemed to be safe and under control. There have been occasional infiltrations by Rwandan rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda in subsequent years, but these are always stopped quickly by the Rwandan army and there is thought to be no threat to tourism in the park.
Flora
Vegetation varies considerably due to the large altitudinal range within the park. There is some lower montane forest (now mainly lost to agriculture). Between 2400 and 2500 m, there is Neoboutonia forest. From 2500 to 3200 m Arundinaria alpina (bamboo) forest occurs, covering about 30% of the park area. From 2600 to 3600 m, mainly on the more humid slopes in the south and west, is Hagenia-Hypericum forest, which covers about 30% of the park. This is one of the largest forests of Hagenia abyssinica. The vegetation from 3500 to 4200 m is characterised by Lobelia wollastonii, L. lanurensis, and Senecio erici-rosenii and covers about 25% of the park. From 4300 to 4500 m grassland occurs. Secondary thicket, meadows, marshes, swamps and small lakes also occur, but their total area is relatively small.
Fauna
The park is best known for the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Other mammals include: golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), black-fronted duiker (Cephalophus niger), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus). There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare.[4] There are 178 recorded bird species, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Ruwenzori Mountains.[5]
Tourism in the park
Young gorilla grabs tourist at Volcanoes National Park
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) runs several activities for tourists, including:[6]
Gorilla visits - as of January 2015, there are ten habituated gorilla groups open to tourists, allowing for a total of 80 permits per day. Tourists report at the park head office by 7:00 for a pre-tracking briefing. Once tourists meet the gorillas they spend an hour with them.
Golden monkey visits.
Climbing of Karisimbi volcano - this is a two-day trek with overnight camping at an altitude of 3,800 m.
Climbing of Bisoke volcano - one day.
Tour of the lakes and caves.
Visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey.
Iby’Iwacu cultural village tour
The majority of revenue from tourism goes towards maintaining the park and conserving the wildlife. The remainder goes to the government and (around 10%)[citation needed] to local projects in the area to help local people benefit from the large revenue stream generated by the park.
The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. There are two populations. One is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within three National Parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. The other is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some primatologists consider the Bwindi population in Uganda may be a separate subspecies,[3] though no description has been finalized. As of September 2016, the estimated number of mountain gorillas remaining is about 880.[4]
Gorilla taxonomy
Mountain gorillas are descendants of ancestral monkeys and apes found in Africa and Arabia during the start of the Oligocene epoch (34-24 million years ago). The fossil record provides evidence of the hominoid primates (apes) found in east Africa about 22–32 million years ago. The fossil record of the area where mountain gorillas live is particularly poor and so its evolutionary history is not clear.[5] It was about 9 million years ago that the group of primates that were to evolve into gorillas split from their common ancestor with humans and chimps; this is when the genus Gorilla emerged. It is not certain what this early relative of the gorilla was, but it is traced back to the early ape Proconsul africanus.[6] Mountain gorillas have been isolated from eastern lowland gorillas for about 400,000 years and these two taxa separated from their western counterparts approximately 2 million years ago.[7] There has been considerable and as yet unresolved debate over the classification of mountain gorillas. The genus was first referenced as Troglodytes in 1847, but renamed to Gorilla in 1852. It was not until 1967 that the taxonomist Colin Groves proposed that all gorillas be regarded as one species (Gorilla gorilla) with three sub-species Gorilla gorilla gorilla (western lowland gorilla), Gorilla gorilla graueri (lowland gorillas found west of the Virungas) and Gorilla gorilla beringei (mountain gorillas including, Gorilla beringei found in the Virungas and Bwindi). In 2003 after a review they were divided into two species (Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei) by The World Conservation Union (IUCN).[5]
Physical description
Silverback of Ntambara group, in typical resting attitude.
The fur of the mountain gorilla, often thicker and longer than that of other gorilla species, enables them to live in colder temperatures.[8] Gorillas can be identified by nose prints unique to each individual.[9] Males, at a mean weight of 195 kg (430 lb) upright standing height of 150 cm (59 in) usually weigh twice as much as the females, at a mean of 100 kg (220 lb) and a height of 130 cm (51 in).[10] This subspecies is on average the second largest species of primate; only the eastern lowland gorilla, the other subspecies of eastern gorilla, is larger.[citation needed] Adult males have more pronounced bony crests on the top and back of their skulls, giving their heads a more conical shape. These crests anchor the powerful temporalis muscles, which attach to the lower jaw (mandible). Adult females also have these crests, but they are less pronounced.[9] Like all gorillas they feature dark brown eyes framed by a black ring around the iris. Adult males are called silverbacks because a saddle of gray or silver-colored hair develops on their backs with age. The hair on their backs is shorter than on most other body parts, and their arm hair is especially long. Fully erect, males reach 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) in height, with an arm span of 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) and weigh 220 kg (490 lb).[11] The tallest silverback recorded was a 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) with an arm span of 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in), a chest of 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), and a weight of 219 kg (483 lb), shot in Alimbongo, northern Kivu in May 1938. There is an unconfirmed record of another individual, shot in 1932, that was 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) and weighed 218.6 kg (482 lb).
The mountain gorilla is primarily terrestrial and quadrupedal. However, it will climb into fruiting trees if the branches can carry its weight, and it is capable of running bipedally up to 6 m (20 ft).[citation needed] Like all great apes other than humans, its arms are longer than its legs. It moves by knuckle-walking (like the common chimpanzee, but unlike the bonobo and both orangutan species), supporting its weight on the backs of its curved fingers rather than its palms.[citation needed]
The mountain gorilla is diurnal, most active between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.[citation needed] Many of these hours are spent eating, as large quantities of food are needed to sustain its massive bulk. It forages in early morning, rests during the late morning and around midday, and in the afternoon it forages again before resting at night. Each gorilla builds a nest from surrounding vegetation to sleep in, constructing a new one every evening. Only infants sleep in the same nest as their mothers. They leave their sleeping sites when the sun rises at around 6 am, except when it is cold and overcast; then they often stay longer in their nests.[12]
Habitat and ecology
Adult male feeding on insects in a rotting tree trunk
The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests and of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200–4,300 metres (7,200–14,100 ft). Most are found on the slopes of three of the dormant volcanoes: Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Visoke.[13] The vegetation is very dense at the bottom of the mountains, becoming more sparse at higher elevations, and the forests where the mountain gorilla lives are often cloudy, misty and cold.[14]
The mountain gorilla is primarily a herbivore; the majority of its diet is composed of the leaves, shoots and stems (85.8%) of 142 plant species. It also feeds on bark (6.9%), roots (3.3%), flowers (2.3%), and fruit (1.7%), as well as small invertebrates. (0.1%).[15] Adult males can eat up to 34 kilograms (75 lb) of vegetation a day, while a female can eat as much as 18 kilograms (40 lb).[citation needed]
The home range size (the area used by one group of gorillas during one year) is influenced by availability of food sources and usually includes several vegetation zones. George Schaller identified ten distinct zones, including: the bamboo forests at 2,200–2,800 metres (7,200–9,200 ft); the Hagenia forests at 2,800–3,400 metres (9,200–11,200 ft); and the giant senecio zone at 3,400–4,300 metres (11,200–14,100 ft).[12] The mountain gorilla spends most of its time in the Hagenia forests, where galium vines are found year-round. All parts of this vine are consumed: leaves, stems, flowers, and berries. It travels to the bamboo forests during the few months of the year fresh shoots are available, and it climbs into subalpine regions to eat the soft centers of giant senecio trees.[13]
Behaviour
Social structure
The mountain gorilla is highly social, and lives in relatively stable, cohesive groups held together by long-term bonds between adult males and females. Relationships among females are relatively weak.[16] These groups are nonterritorial; the silverback generally defends his group rather than his territory. In the Virunga mountain gorillas, the average length of tenure for a dominant silverback is 4.7 years.[17]
61% of groups are composed of one adult male and a number of females and 36% contain more than one adult male. The remaining gorillas are either lone males or exclusively male groups, usually made up of one mature male and a few younger males.[18] Group sizes vary from five to thirty, with an average of ten individuals. A typical group contains: one dominant silverback, who is the group's undisputed leader; another subordinate silverback (usually a younger brother, half-brother, or even an adult son of the dominant silverback); one or two blackbacks, who act as sentries; three to four sexually mature females, who are ordinarily bonded to the dominant silverback for life; and from three to six juveniles and infants.[19]
Most males, and about 60% of females, leave their natal group. Males leave when they are about 11 years old, and often the separation process is slow: they spend more and more time on the edge of the group until they leave altogether.[20] They may travel alone or with an all-male group for 2–5 years before they can attract females to join them and form a new group. Females typically emigrate when they are about 8 years old, either transferring directly to an established group or beginning a new one with a lone male. Females often transfer to a new group several times before they settle down with a certain silverback male.[21]
The dominant silverback generally determines the movements of the group, leading it to appropriate feeding sites throughout the year. He also mediates conflicts within the group and protects it from external threats.[14] When the group is attacked by humans, leopards, or other gorillas, the silverback will protect them even at the cost of his own life.[22] He is the center of attention during rest sessions, and young animals frequently stay close to him and include him in their games. If a mother dies or leaves the group, the silverback is usually the one who looks after her abandoned offspring, even allowing them to sleep in his nest.[23] Experienced silverbacks are capable of removing poachers' snares from the hands or feet of their group members.[24]
When the silverback dies or is killed by disease, accident, or poachers, the family group may be disrupted.[13] Unless there is an accepted male descendant capable of taking over his position, the group will either split up or adopt an unrelated male. When a new silverback joins the family group, he may kill all of the infants of the dead silverback.[25] Infanticide has not been observed in stable groups.
Analysis of mountain gorilla genomes by whole genome sequencing indicates that a recent decline in their population size has led to extensive inbreeding.[26] As an apparent result, individuals are typically homozygous for 34% of their genome sequence. Furthermore, homozygosity and the expression of deleterious recessive mutations as consequences of inbreeding have likely resulted in the purging of severely deleterious mutations from the population.
Aggression
Although strong and powerful, the mountain gorillas are generally gentle and very shy.[22] Severe aggression is rare in stable groups, but when two mountain gorilla groups meet, the two silverbacks can sometimes engage in a fight to the death, using their canines to cause deep, gaping injuries.[19] For this reason, conflicts are most often resolved by displays and other threat behaviors that are intended to intimidate without becoming physical. The ritualized charge display is unique to gorillas. The entire sequence has nine steps: (1) progressively quickening hooting, (2) symbolic feeding, (3) rising bipedally, (4) throwing vegetation, (5) chest-beating with cupped hands, (6) one leg kick, (7) sideways running four-legged, (8) slapping and tearing vegetation, and (9) thumping the ground with palms .[27] Jill Donisthorpe stated that a male charged at her twice. In both cases the gorilla turned away, when she stood her ground.
Volcanoes National Park (French: Parc National des Volcans) lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), which are covered in rainforest and bamboo. The park was the base for the zoologist Dian Fossey.
History
Children on a farm near Volcanoes National Park
The park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Visoke and Mikeno, intended to protect the gorillas from poachers. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa. Subsequently, in 1929, the borders of the park were extended further into Rwanda and into the Belgian Congo, to form the Albert National Park, a huge area of 8090 km2, run by the Belgian colonial authorities who were in charge of both colonies.[1] In 1958, 700 hectares of the park were cleared for a human settlement.[2]
After the Congo gained independence in 1960, the park was split into two, and upon Rwandan independence in 1962 the new government agreed to maintain the park as a conservation and tourist area, despite the fact that the new republic was already suffering from overpopulation problems. The park was halved in area in 1969.[citation needed] Between 1969 and 1973, 1050 hectares of the park were cleared to grow pyrethrum.[2]
The park later became the base for the American naturalist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas. She arrived in 1967 and set up the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Visoke. From then on she spent most of her time in the park, and is widely credited with saving the gorillas from extinction by bringing their plight to the attention of the international community. She was murdered by unknown assailants at her home in 1985, a crime often attributed to the poachers she had spent her life fighting against.[3] Fossey's life later was portrayed on the big screen in the film Gorillas in the Mist, named after her autobiography. She is buried in the park in a grave close to the research center, and amongst the gorillas which became her life.
The Volcanoes National Park became a battlefield during the Rwandan Civil War, with the park headquarters being attacked in 1992. The research centre was abandoned, and all tourist activities (including visiting the gorillas) were stopped. They did not resume again until 1999 when the area was deemed to be safe and under control. There have been occasional infiltrations by Rwandan rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda in subsequent years, but these are always stopped quickly by the Rwandan army and there is thought to be no threat to tourism in the park.
Flora
Vegetation varies considerably due to the large altitudinal range within the park. There is some lower montane forest (now mainly lost to agriculture). Between 2400 and 2500 m, there is Neoboutonia forest. From 2500 to 3200 m Arundinaria alpina (bamboo) forest occurs, covering about 30% of the park area. From 2600 to 3600 m, mainly on the more humid slopes in the south and west, is Hagenia-Hypericum forest, which covers about 30% of the park. This is one of the largest forests of Hagenia abyssinica. The vegetation from 3500 to 4200 m is characterised by Lobelia wollastonii, L. lanurensis, and Senecio erici-rosenii and covers about 25% of the park. From 4300 to 4500 m grassland occurs. Secondary thicket, meadows, marshes, swamps and small lakes also occur, but their total area is relatively small.
Fauna
The park is best known for the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Other mammals include: golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), black-fronted duiker (Cephalophus niger), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus). There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare.[4] There are 178 recorded bird species, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Ruwenzori Mountains.[5]
Tourism in the park
Young gorilla grabs tourist at Volcanoes National Park
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) runs several activities for tourists, including:[6]
Gorilla visits - as of January 2015, there are ten habituated gorilla groups open to tourists, allowing for a total of 80 permits per day. Tourists report at the park head office by 7:00 for a pre-tracking briefing. Once tourists meet the gorillas they spend an hour with them.
Golden monkey visits.
Climbing of Karisimbi volcano - this is a two-day trek with overnight camping at an altitude of 3,800 m.
Climbing of Bisoke volcano - one day.
Tour of the lakes and caves.
Visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey.
Iby’Iwacu cultural village tour
The majority of revenue from tourism goes towards maintaining the park and conserving the wildlife. The remainder goes to the government and (around 10%)[citation needed] to local projects in the area to help local people benefit from the large revenue stream generated by the park.
District Football Tournament 2012 finalized. Jang Bazar A football Team clinched final Trophy. Best exhibition of paragliding enthralled thousands of spectator during the final match.
By: Gul Hamaad Farooqi
CHITRAL: District Football tournament 2012 finalized. Some 42 football teams participated in the tournament. The final match was played between Danin Lasht and Jang Bazar A football teams. Jang Bazar team defeated his rival team with 4 goals than 1 goal. In first half Jang Bazar scored 3 goals while Danin Lasht could not score any goal. In second half Jan Bazar scored another goal and success to score 4 goals but Danin Lasht team score only one goal after half time. Shahzada Amanur Rehman of Royal Family grand son of former Mehtari Chitral (Ruler of Chitral state) was chief guest on the occasion. The tournament was sponsored by Relief International who work on eradicating of zonosis diseases in Chitral including other parts of the country. Members of Chitral Paragliding Association under Supervision of Mirajuddin also demonstrated of their skill. Local paraglide exhibited of paragliding with a very best way during the final match and they landed
successfully in the play ground by enthralling thousands of spectators and were warmly appreciated by participants.
Addressing to the spectators and participants Hussain Ahmad said that Chitral youth have talent and fond of Football but unfortunately there is no play ground for them. He demanded for establishment of a public stadium for giving an opportunity to local players for improving match and their skill. He also offer Shahzada Amanur Rehman as a chief patron of football association. Chief guest distributed trophy, cups and awards among the players. Addressing on the occasion he announced of arranging Shahzada Shujaur Rehman memorial football tournament annually which will be celebrated with the name of his late father. He also given special award to Abdul Waheed Captain of Jang Bazar team by declaring him Player of the tournament. Rafiullah of Danin Lasht team was declared as man of the match. chief guest announced 20000 for winner and 10000 for runner up team. Dr. Riaz district program Manager of Relief International also announced for launching football
tournament every year to encourage local players. He also stressed upon the participants to support their health teams in eradicating of Zonotic diseases from Chitral which is communicable from animal to human and from humanbeing to animal. Thousands of spectators were present on the occasion who participated in final match. At last players of both team performed folk dance on the beating of drum while during the whole tournament band party energetic and provoked the players.
G.H. Farooqi C/O Manager bank Islami Main branch Chitral phone No 0943-320737, 0943-316052, 0943-414418 , 03025989602, 03337069572, 03159698446, 03469002167
email: gulhamad@gmail.com
District Football Tournament 2012 finalized. Jang Bazar A football Team clinched final Trophy. Best exhibition of paragliding enthralled thousands of spectator during the final match.
By: Gul Hamaad Farooqi
CHITRAL: District Football tournament 2012 finalized. Some 42 football teams participated in the tournament. The final match was played between Danin Lasht and Jang Bazar A football teams. Jang Bazar team defeated his rival team with 4 goals than 1 goal. In first half Jang Bazar scored 3 goals while Danin Lasht could not score any goal. In second half Jan Bazar scored another goal and success to score 4 goals but Danin Lasht team score only one goal after half time. Shahzada Amanur Rehman of Royal Family grand son of former Mehtari Chitral (Ruler of Chitral state) was chief guest on the occasion. The tournament was sponsored by Relief International who work on eradicating of zonosis diseases in Chitral including other parts of the country. Members of Chitral Paragliding Association under Supervision of Mirajuddin also demonstrated of their skill. Local paraglide exhibited of paragliding with a very best way during the final match and they landed
successfully in the play ground by enthralling thousands of spectators and were warmly appreciated by participants.
Addressing to the spectators and participants Hussain Ahmad said that Chitral youth have talent and fond of Football but unfortunately there is no play ground for them. He demanded for establishment of a public stadium for giving an opportunity to local players for improving match and their skill. He also offer Shahzada Amanur Rehman as a chief patron of football association. Chief guest distributed trophy, cups and awards among the players. Addressing on the occasion he announced of arranging Shahzada Shujaur Rehman memorial football tournament annually which will be celebrated with the name of his late father. He also given special award to Abdul Waheed Captain of Jang Bazar team by declaring him Player of the tournament. Rafiullah of Danin Lasht team was declared as man of the match. chief guest announced 20000 for winner and 10000 for runner up team. Dr. Riaz district program Manager of Relief International also announced for launching football
tournament every year to encourage local players. He also stressed upon the participants to support their health teams in eradicating of Zonotic diseases from Chitral which is communicable from animal to human and from humanbeing to animal. Thousands of spectators were present on the occasion who participated in final match. At last players of both team performed folk dance on the beating of drum while during the whole tournament band party energetic and provoked the players.
G.H. Farooqi C/O Manager bank Islami Main branch Chitral phone No 0943-320737, 0943-316052, 0943-414418 , 03025989602, 03337069572, 03159698446, 03469002167
email: gulhamad@gmail.com
Finalizing this years Government House Walk and Talk Tours. (left to right) member Jill Vaisey, Carrie Ross, Government House, and member Ken MacDonald
Instrument scientist Flora Meilleur (right) and scientific associate Lakeisha Walker (left) prepare to load a sample onto the CCR cold finger. Temperature is controlled by a LakeShore model 340 cryogenic temperature controller (not shown; LakeShore Cryotronics, Inc.). The inner heat shield (not shown) and outer vacuum can are made of amorphous aluminum to minimize background.
Image credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL
Read more: neutrons.ornl.gov/content/imagine-finalizes-cryogenic-sam...
Nov. 24
This is an image of Neil Patrick Harris in a character still of his famously known persona Barney Stinson and it relates to my research question "Can you tell a person's sexuality by their clothes?" because Neil Patrick Harris's coming out as being a homosexual man, was a major shocker to his fans and admirers simply because he does not clearly read as being gay, he plays a straight womanizing man so well and does not dress as if he is gay. One of the most commonly thought images of a gay man is a man with a high-pitched voice, flambouyant personality and wardrobe, but because Harris portrays a straight man on television so well, viewers just began to assume that he was straight, not saying that this is not ok, it does not matter if a person assumes another person is gay or not, but the amount of back lash and surprise from this news was shocking in itself. Not only did people refuse to believe he was gay, but people actually broke down on sites such as Twitter and Facebook, begging it not to be true because it ruined the fantasy of ever being with him. Again everyone thought he was straight based completely on the fact that he went against what people typically think of when thinking of a gay man.
CAKE 30X40 (FINALIZED)
thanks to NET, OVER, MARTY, NETA ACC, CAHBASM, LEETO, MOVE, 2ESAE, MAP 36, BEL, WHAT, KATSU, DENS FFF, MALVO, AERUBS, GOAL 36 1134, TOMA, SKI, KEPTS, MATT SIREN, GAIA, CAKE, NEA, ORDER, ICE 187...
(apparently devi was too busy ragging me since 04 to hit the canvas...putting in that work with DRAGqueen )
Today I am finalizing our itinerary for LV, scanning and updating Jim's laptop, checking my laptop, and putting together my printed itinerary and printed maps for our trip next week.
This afternoon I'll be working out with Billy at the Fitness Center. We're supposed to add the Elliptical Machine to the routine. Then I plan to attend my Line Dance class tonight. I missed last week because of the rain. Hopefully I'll do OK even though my plantar fasciitis is acting up. I wonder if that could be caused from wearing those "shape up" tennis shoes that I took back to the store.
Well, I ended up not going to line dance class because I went with Jim to a committee meeting at VCC. We ate some delicious appetizers.
AAS have finalized porting their software over to Universal Binaries so they run native on Intel-Macs, including their flagship Tassman soft-synth.
(Shameless plug: Robert Voelk, a good friend of mine, has produced a number of demo tracks for AAS. Be sure to have a listen!)
Finalized with the Gimp
See also the same picture rendered with the orton effect : www.flickr.com/photos/jfparis/385387239/
GOVERNOR TOMBLIN SIGNS FLOOD RELIEF LEGISLATION
State's share of $85 million finalized for disaster recovery
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (September 20, 2016) - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today signed legislation, House Bill 201, that he presented to the Legislature earlier this week in a special session to appropriate funds to cover West Virginia's share of costs associated with the June 2016 flooding. Gov. Tomblin signed the bill during a ceremony at Elkview Middle School, where students from Herbert Hoover High School are temporarily taking classes.
"Nearly three months ago, our state was hit by historic and destructive flooding. Twenty-three people lost their lives. Homes, businesses and communities were devastated. Schools were destroyed. But today, we celebrate new hope for a brighter future," Gov. Tomblin said. "This legislation, which I presented just days ago, represents continued progress - and I am grateful for the Legislature's quick approval. Recovering from this tragedy will take all of us coming together. But as we are seeing again today, that's what we do best in West Virginia."
Through Gov. Tomblin's bill, $85 million - $55 million of which comes from the Rainy Day Fund - is now available to cover the state's share of costs for individual and public damages, as well as long-term recovery efforts. This includes the state's estimated match of $130 million to rebuild five schools - Herbert Hoover High School, Clendenin Elementary School, Richwood High School, Richwood Middle School and Summersville Middle School.
The funding approved this week represents West Virginia's 25 percent share of flood-related costs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently covering 75 percent of total costs. Should the state meet FEMA's designated threshold of $253 million in total expenses, the federal government could cover 90 percent, leaving the state responsible for 10 percent. If Gov. Tomblin's request to the White House for this higher level of cost-sharing is approved, it would kick in once funds are obligated, including funds for school construction.
Photos available for media use. All photos should be attributed “Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor.”
District Football Tournament 2012 finalized. Jang Bazar A football Team clinched final Trophy. Best exhibition of paragliding enthralled thousands of spectator during the final match.
By: Gul Hamaad Farooqi
CHITRAL: District Football tournament 2012 finalized. Some 42 football teams participated in the tournament. The final match was played between Danin Lasht and Jang Bazar A football teams. Jang Bazar team defeated his rival team with 4 goals than 1 goal. In first half Jang Bazar scored 3 goals while Danin Lasht could not score any goal. In second half Jan Bazar scored another goal and success to score 4 goals but Danin Lasht team score only one goal after half time. Shahzada Amanur Rehman of Royal Family grand son of former Mehtari Chitral (Ruler of Chitral state) was chief guest on the occasion. The tournament was sponsored by Relief International who work on eradicating of zonosis diseases in Chitral including other parts of the country. Members of Chitral Paragliding Association under Supervision of Mirajuddin also demonstrated of their skill. Local paraglide exhibited of paragliding with a very best way during the final match and they landed
successfully in the play ground by enthralling thousands of spectators and were warmly appreciated by participants.
Addressing to the spectators and participants Hussain Ahmad said that Chitral youth have talent and fond of Football but unfortunately there is no play ground for them. He demanded for establishment of a public stadium for giving an opportunity to local players for improving match and their skill. He also offer Shahzada Amanur Rehman as a chief patron of football association. Chief guest distributed trophy, cups and awards among the players. Addressing on the occasion he announced of arranging Shahzada Shujaur Rehman memorial football tournament annually which will be celebrated with the name of his late father. He also given special award to Abdul Waheed Captain of Jang Bazar team by declaring him Player of the tournament. Rafiullah of Danin Lasht team was declared as man of the match. chief guest announced 20000 for winner and 10000 for runner up team. Dr. Riaz district program Manager of Relief International also announced for launching football
tournament every year to encourage local players. He also stressed upon the participants to support their health teams in eradicating of Zonotic diseases from Chitral which is communicable from animal to human and from humanbeing to animal. Thousands of spectators were present on the occasion who participated in final match. At last players of both team performed folk dance on the beating of drum while during the whole tournament band party energetic and provoked the players.
G.H. Farooqi C/O Manager bank Islami Main branch Chitral phone No 0943-320737, 0943-316052, 0943-414418 , 03025989602, 03337069572, 03159698446, 03469002167
email: gulhamad@gmail.com
Some 30 academics from across the globe recently gathered at the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) to finalize and sign-off on a new series of UNODC university modules, which will be launched as an online tool next month. The 14 modules, which are designed to be used by lecturers in any part of the world, aim to boost teaching around integrity and ethics. The gathering at the end of April was the second expert meeting dedicated to the modules, following an initial one also held at the ELPO in November 2017.