BBC Radio 4 LW

Saving Species

Documentaries

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Saving Species: Series 2

Saving Species: Series 2: Episode 3

Episode 3

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - Saving Species, Series 2, Episode 3

Saving Species reports from the Congo and the future of Lowland Gorillas.

Ian Redmond, influential gorilla conservationist, reports from Congo on the plight of lowland gorillas and the work that is being done to protect them.

Saving Species has sent its reporters around the UK to report how wildlife is reacting to this years most unusual spring - high seasonal temperatures, very low rainfall and habitat fires.

Also in the programme - latest reports suggest that the population of Mountain Gorillas in forested central Africa is picking up - but what about the sub-species, Eastern Lowland Gorilla? The Mountain Gorilla became emblematic of the plight of species being shot for body parts - this species was poached for hands and heads, the young orphans sold to the pet trade - And they remain vulnerable to being killed for bush meat. Ian Redmond, one of the pioneering Mountain Gorilla scientists who brought this issue to the world media, returns regularly to the area and says "the conservation effort is meeting the threat" - In the national parks conservation is working. Ian has returned with saving Species recording equipment to report on the plight of Lowland Gorillas whose fortunes are very different. We get the latest. 

Also in the programme - the translocation of Desert Tortoises in the Mojave desert. We sent Howard Stableford into the deserts near Las Vagas to report on the re-introductions: 30 year old tortoises liberated into the desert bristling with technology to help both the US Fish & wildlife Service and San Diego Zoo monitor the success of the conservation programme.


Presenter: Brett Westwood
Producer: Mary Colwell
Editor: Julian Hector.

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