New Britain herald., 1930-03-14
BELGIUM CREATES
 NEW AFRICAN PARK
Area Set Aside Is Half the Size
 Of Rhode Island

Washington, D. c, March 14.- Central Africa's first national park. created by the king of Belgium in the kivu district of the Belgian Congo, may be considered in q sense an otfshoot of the national park system and the wild animal refuses Of the United States" says q bulletin from the Washington, D. C. head quarters of the National Geographic society. "Thc Belgian king showed a keen interest in the several nation al parks he visited during q trip to America some years ago. and later sent a representative 10 Washington 10 confer with National park off cials.
 More Than Half Size Of +. I.
 The park as first proposed in 1923 had an area of about loo square miles. After preliminary studies of the flora and fauna ot the surrounding region the rcscr- Nation was brought up to the pres ent area of approximately 7SO square miles. This is equivalent to a put OE lIl HULL N lllliES cls each side, q 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 thc northern shore of Lake kiNu. ,The northern part of the reservation thus lies only q few miles south of the equator
 The primary function of the AL bert National park is to serve Gs Il refuge for gorllas for it is in this region that these huge manlille creatures thrive best in Africa. It was found, however, that in the comparatively small area between the two lakes are such varied natur- al conditions that they form an cpitome of Central Africa. Natural ists assert that in the new park may be found almost every plant and all fthe characteristic animals of the central portion of the dark cont- nent. The park embraces lakes. marshes. grassy plains, dense for 'ests and mountains which extend above the tree line. Upon the shores Of Lake Edward arc herds of hip- .popotami, on the plains arc lions and herds of antelope, in the forests arc elephants and buffalo. It is in the forest also that the gorillas roam.
 Will Aid study of Gorilla
 Since scientists have been study ing the gorilla in his home near flake Kivu opinions in regard 10 this 9huSe creature have changed radical tly. It is found that he is not the fierce, dangerous animal that lie was once believed to be, but that instead he will not molest man unless cor nered. The creatures live in q re- stricted area and seem to feel i'll a, case when driven from their home locations. One of the purposes in the creation of the park is to make il possible for scientists 10 study the life habits Of gorillas. 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 if is believed that rhe withdrawal of its area will not be q serious hard ship to the natives Of the district. A few tribes Of pygmics will be left in the reservation in the belief that these little people will find the park a safe haven from advancing civilization.
 Stringent rules have been adopt cd 10 safeguard animal and plant llfe in the new park. and its scenic Beauties. Except hy written permit no one will be allowed to kill any animals or to cut any plants with in the boundaries of the reservation and no excavations can be made. The region will be reasonably access