Gold mining threatens the extinction of DR Congo's forest giraffe Environmental institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo hav...

Gold mining threatens the extinction of DR Congo's forest giraffe

Environmental institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have warned that gold mining in the north-east of the country is threatening the habitat of the forest giraffe, or okapi.

The okapi, a giraffe-like animal - is already considered an endangered species.

Organizations including the Network for environmental awareness and Human Rights in the DRC say that mining activities in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are increasing, despite the official announcement of a ban on their activities.

The national park is also home to elephants and endangered forest chimpanzees.

They are calling on the Congolese government to protect the unique environment of the forests and the communities that depend on them.

They also accuse the miners of poaching endangered animals for food and trading in okapi skins and ivory.