Several new species identified by scientists just before skirmishes restarted in DRC. Violence may cause more losses of animals. Or it may protect by preventing access.
Just before the latest outbreak of fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) began, scientists announced the finding of 6 new species in an area that has been inaccessible since 1960 due to ongoing fighting. The area has a fairly small human population, probably largely due to the longstanding conflict, resulting in nearly 1000 square km of undisturbed forest. Animals found in the area include 2 species of frogs, two shrews, a bat and a rodent. The area also hosts numerous other mammals, birds and reptiles although some of the species traditionally utilized for food are only there in low numbers.
The renewed fighting may bring the expedition to a halt but it may also mean that the area will remain relatively safe. Human fighting may result in the devastation of species, as is being seen with the mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park. Or it may end up being a sad form of protection as with the Mediterranean monk seals in Mauritania, who for years were left alone because access to the coast was through minefields.
In this case the concern is that the latest round of fighting is preventing farmers from planting this year’s crops, which may result in exploitation of wildlife in the area for food.
