My+real+world+contact,+Allison+Kent

I wrote the following:

Dear Allison Kent,

My name is Stephanie Strifert and I am 13 years old. I am doing a project on mountain gorillas for school and found your article on the UC Davis website. I have two questions, if you would take the time out of your day to answer.

1. What is the world doing to try to help mountain gorillas population?

2. What makes mountain gorillas so fascinating?

Thank you for your time,

Stephanie Strifert

This was her response:

Dear Stephanie, Thank you for your email. More information about the Mountain Gorilla project can be found at [] and [] ; these sites should answer in part your questions about what the world is doing to try and help mountain gorillas, but basically since humans are so closely related to them, they are able to catch many of our common diseases like flu and measles, which are devastating. We are trying to find ways to keep humans (including ecotourists and family farmers with their livestock) and gorillas far enough apart so that chances for infection are reduced as much as possible. Gorillas also face lots of challenges from poachers. Obviously enforcing poaching laws across three countries with large forested regions is a big problem but it's essential. Finally, raising world awareness about the gorillas and their plight -- something you're doing -- is essential and will help with efforts to save the mountain gorilla. I urge you to keep studying science and perhaps some day specialize in studying a critically endangered species like the mountain gorilla. In answer to your question about what makes mountain gorillas so fascinating: well, they are like looking in a mirror for us, part of our past, part of our future. They are large vegetarians that live for the most part in peace and harmony (not at all the negative King Kong image that is so ingrained in our culture). Male gorillas over 13, called silverbacks because they develop a gray band across their backs, take control of family groups that can be as small as 10 and as large as 64. They will defend their families against other mature males. I hope this helps; thank you for your interest! Alison Kent