... the growing problem. Since then, research has revealed that great ape populations in Africa have decreased dramatically as a direct result of various human activities. Civil war, poaching and human disease have all had an effect on the decline in their population. In addition, a recent increase in logging is destroying the ape's natural habitat, whilst the human presence in the jungles is increasing the risk of infectious diseases "jumping" between apes and humans. Chimpanzees and gorillas are highly susceptible to many human conditions such as influenza, measles, tuberculosis, mumps and even the common cold. This is proving to be a greater risk than first anticipated, in one population studied, 137 gorillas died after becoming infected with the Ebola virus- just 4 survived. In order to survive and procreate effectively, apes need relatively undisturbed forest. According to a recent UNEP report - "The Great Apes-the road ahead," less than ...

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