非洲剛果偏遠森林發現6種新物種 | 環境資訊中心
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非洲剛果偏遠森林發現6種新物種

2007年08月13日
摘譯自2007年8月8日ENS美國,紐約報導;吳萃慧編譯;蔡麗伶審校

剛果森林調查區域在Tanganyika湖泊的南部末端(圖片來源: Andrew Plumptre courtesy WCS) 剛果民主共和國東部偏遠地帶最近發現了1種蝙蝠、1種齧齒類、2種鼩類(shrews)、及2種蛙類。一個野生動物保育組織8月7日表示,因為內戰的原故,這個區域從1960年就停止探險活動。

設址在紐約市布隆克斯動物園的國際野生生物保護學會(WCS)表示,這個非洲艾伯丁裂谷(Albertine Rift)禁止外人進入的情形可視為是一件可喜可賀的事。他們指出:「為了這個地球,任何因為政治不穩定及地理隔絕而曾經被限制發展的野地,反而是受到庇佑的地方。在這些受人類干擾很少倖存的地方,自然得以蓬勃發展與繁衍。」

這些新發現物種是在2007年1至3月在密索西卡巴哥森林(Misotshi-Kabogo Forest)及鄰近馬侖加丘地(Marunga Massif)2個月的探勘活動中發現的。

國際野生生物保護學會艾伯丁裂谷計畫主任葡朗屈(Andrew Plumptre)博士表示:「如果我們能在這麼短時間內發現6個新物種,不禁讓人思考那裡還能發現多少其他新物種」。

這個森林探勘活動的參與者來自國際野生生物保護學會、芝加哥菲爾德博物館、剛果里洛的國立研究與科學中心、及世界自然基金會。

Six New Species Discovered in Remote Congo Forest
NEW YORK, New York, August 8, 2007 (ENS)

A new species of bat, a rodent species, two shrews, and two frogs have been discovered in a remote corner of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The area has been unexplored since 1960 because civil unrest has made it too dangerous, a wildlife conservation organization said Tuesday.

The fact that this area of Africa's Albertine Rift has been off-limits to outsiders could be viewed as a blessing, said the Wildlife Conservation Society, WCS, based at New York's Bronx Zoo.

"For the planet ever shrinking wilderness, a combination of political instability and geographic isolation could be seen as a blessing," the WCS said. "In the few remaining places where human influence is light, nature can prosper, and even multiply."

A two month expedition between January and March 2007 to the Misotshi-Kabogo Forest and nearby Marunga Massif led by WCS scientists, made the discoveries.

"If we can find six new species in such a short period, it makes you wonder what else is out there," said researcher Dr. Andrew Plumptre, director of the WCS Albertine Rift Program.

The forest survey included participants from WCS, the Field Museum in Chicago, the National Centre of Research and Science in Lwiro, DRC, and the World Wildlife Fund.

全文及圖片詳見 ENS

作者

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.