November 19, 2024
Raemonde Bezenar, Riverview Rotary's Club president this year, is passionate about gorilla conservation. She has travelled several times to the three countries where mountain gorillas are found: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. She started the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Society of Canada which raises awareness about the importance of protecting this species and also raises funds for conservation related projects. Through a Rotary Scholarship Global Grant she has sent two young veterinarians to study gorilla medicine. She was back in Africa earlier this year to visit with colleagues and check on progress on the ground.
Raemonde is a walking encyclopedia of gorilla related facts and information. Did you know that gorillas and elephants are known as "gardeners of the forest"? Because they consume so much vegetation daily (40kg/day for mature gorillas) their dung is loaded with seeds that have higher rates of germination. They literally help the forest grow. In spite of habitat loss, poaching and civil unrest, the mountain gorilla population is slowly increasing. Largely due to the knowledge that gorillas are actually good for the economy - tourists who trek into the forest require hotels, restaurants, guides, etc. etc. This is a significant contribution to the local economies.
Keep up the great work Raemonde.
Following are a few more images from Raemonde's presentation:
