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It is the first part of aid coming from Prague Zoo, which in this way supports Western Lowland Gorilla protection in central Africa. “I give my thanks to all those who helped us. The equipment was financed from a public collection and mainly from the proceeds from the Run for Gorillas, organized by the City of Prague, from Odhalení bank account and partially also from our event Bring your old mobile phone,” said the Director of the Zoo, Miroslav Bobek. “We also received support from Sony Czech Republic and in relation to the project we also make use of the subsidy from the Ministry of the Environment of the CR.”

Protection of all wild animals

Besides road checks during which the protectors confiscate so called bushmeat (i.e. meat from wild animals), they patrol in the forest where they often fight for their lives with poachers. Recently, they even had to get army reinforcement. Prague Zoo supported a thirteen-member protection unit in Dja, with which Miroslav Bobek had been in contact with before. “Still, we check on spot that the protectors work as they should and made sure that they will use the technology and equipment,” said the spokesperson for Prague Zoo Jana Ptačinská Jirátová. “We also considered it important to hand everything right to them instead of dealing with any middlemen.”

To be found on Facebook

Now the protectors will send reports to Prague, mostly photographs, which will be displayed in the zoo as well as on its website and Facebook profile. Prague Zoo also donated some equipment to the LAGA NGO in Cameroon, which has its seat in the capital city Yaoundé and focuses on the detection of illegal hunting and trade of wild animals and their meat. Besides having lawyers and an operational unit, it also has its own agents who infiltrate poachers and traders.

Other technology for LAGA

“The LAGA employees convinced us about their professionalism. After having checked the organization, we decided to equip them with such technology as satellite phones, telescopes and so on,” said Miroslav Bobek. “Just as the protectors, the LAGA will inform us on a regular basis of their activities and will provide us with visual material. Unfortunately, we can be certain that the pictures will not be very encouraging...”

Have you got an old phone? Give it to the zoo

Prague Zoo, as well as other zoos in the Czech Republic are collecting old mobile phones and will continue their support of the protectors and other organizations protecting wildlife. Most of all, it will be necessary to equip another three protection units around the Dja Reserve.

Books on gorillas will help

“There is also a big demand for books of gorilla tales with Moja in their centre. When in Cameroon, we had been often asked whether we would prepare another edition of the book and similarly to the year 2008 would distribute it to local schools. Together with Cameroon preservationists, we have been discussing the possibility to spread the books in all the countries of the Congo basin. The gorilla family from Prague Zoo would thus help to protect their relatives in the wild in almost all the areas of their natural habitat,” said Jana Ptačinská Jiráková.

Prague participates in the protection of the reservation

Mr. Bobek also signed a declaration with the Cameroon authorities on the co-operation in the protection of the Dja reserve, which is listed as part of the world’s cultural heritage. “If we want, we have the opportunity to participate in the future on the protection of one of the most precious wildlife areas in the world under exclusive conditions,” he concludes.

Detailed information and coverage by the Prague Zoo team from the mission to Cameroon can be found at www.pomahamegorilam.cz (available only in Czech).