Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-16
GORILLA REFUGE
COVERS BIG AREA
Albert National Park, in
Africa, Is Haven for All
Plants and Animals.

"Central Africa's first national park,
created by the King of Belgium in the
Kiyu district of the Belgian Kongo, may
be considered in a sense an offshoot OF
the national park system and the wild
animal refugees Of the United States"
says a bulletin from the National Geo.
graphic Society.
THE Belgian King showed keen in
ter In the several national parks he Wis
tied during a trip to America some years
ago and later sent representatives to
Washington to confer with national
park officials.
Half Size of Rhode Island.
"The park, as first proposed in 1923,
had an area of about 100 square miles.
After preliminary studies of the flora
and fauna of the surrounding region
the reservation was brought up to the
present area of approximately 780
square miles. This is equivalent 10 a
square plot of territory % miles on
each side, a region more than half as
large as Rhode Island. The park is not
all in one piece, but consists of three
tracts lying between the southern shore
of Lake Edward and the northern shore
of Lake Kivu. The Northern part of the
reservation thus lies only few miles
south of the Equator.
THE primary function of the Albert
National Park is to serve as refuge
for gorillas for it is in this region that
these huge, man-like creatures thrive
best in Africa. It was found. however,
that in the comparatively small area
between the two lakes are such variad
natural conditions they form an epitome
of Central Africa. NaturalistS assert
that in the new park may be found al
most every plant and all the character
istic animals of the central portion of
the Dark Continent The park embraces
lakes. marshes, grassy plains, dense for
ests and mountains which extend above
the tree line. Upon the shores of Lake
Edward are herds of hippopotami. on
the plains are lions and herds of ante
lope, in the forests are elephants and
buffalo. 1t is in the forests also that
the gorillas roam.
Aid TO Study Of Gorilla.
"Since scientists have been studying
the gorilla in his home near Lake Kivu
opinions in regard to this huge creature
have changed radically. It is found
that he is not the fierce. dangerous ami
NAL he was once believed to be, but
that instead he will not modest man
unless cornered. The creatures live in
stricted area and seem to feel Ill at
ease when driven from their home To-
cations. One Of the purposes in the
creation Of the park is to make it pos
sible for scientists to study the life
habits of the gorilla. A laboratory will
be erected and placed at the disposal of
visiting scientists.
THE region of the Albert National
Park is of little economic value, and it
is believed that the withdrawal of its
area will not be a serious hardship to
the natives of the district. A few tribes
of pygnies will be left in the reser-
walton in the belief that these little
people will find the park a safe haven
from advancing civilization.
Stringent Rules in Force.
Stringent rules have been adopted
to safeguard animal and plant life in
the new park and its scenic beauties.
Except by written permit no one will be
allowed to kill any animals or to cut
any plants within the boundaries of the
reservation and no excavations can be
made. The region will be reasonably
accessible, since it will be traversed by
a motor highway now nearing compile
ton. Two volcanic cones-Nyamlagira
and Nyiragongo-w lie on the edge
of the park, mark the boundary be-
tween Belgian and British territory.
Because gorillas may wander from the
sanctuary on the slopes of these noun
tains, an effort is being made through
British scientific societies to have the
British government cooperate by Great
ing supplemental reserve on its side of
the boundary"