This is really sad.

Quoted: The rare mountain gorilla had been shot execution-style — once in the back of the head and a second time in the hand. When the rangers found her hulking, lifeless body, her 2-month-old baby, barely alive, was still clinging to her chest.

"Everyone just started crying," recalled Jean-Marie Serundori, who helped wrap the body in plastic sheeting and carry it down the steep mountainside last month on a wooden stretcher. "We love these gorillas."

And the killing has continued. Four gorillas, including an alpha-male silverback, were shot dead Sunday night, conservationists said Thursday.

fascinating! gotta love elephants.

my friend's webpage showcasing her AWESOME paintings. I was lucky enough to watch her paint when I studied in Kenya with her... and happen to have one of her paintings.

This is such an interesting piece about elephant culture and human impacts on populations.

Quoted: Attacks by elephants on villages, people and other animals are on the rise. Some researchers are pointing to a species-wide trauma and the fraying of the fabric of pachyderm society.

Yegads. How do people sleep at night after committing such atrocities? I've dotted this to finish reading later but thought I should share it.

Quoted: To save costs, a global oil company dumped toxic waste on the doorstep of some of the world’s poorest people, spreading illness and killing eight.