The World and Its People

Chapter 20: Central and East Africa

Web Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
For nearly 20 years, researcher Dian Fossey lived among Rwanda's mountain gorillas. She documented their lives, habits, and habitat. When she realized that the mountain gorillas were headed toward extinction, she began a worldwide effort to save them. Raising money herself, she was able to start an anti-poaching campaign. Through her efforts, the decline in mountain gorillas was stopped, and today they are gaining in number.

Lesson Description
Students will visit two Web sites in this lesson. The first explores the mountain gorilla, its habitat in the Virungas of Rwanda, and the effects of political instability on this endangered species. The second is the site of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. After browsing these sites, students will answer several questions, and then create a flyer promoting efforts to save the mountain gorilla.

Instructional Objectives

1. The student will be able to describe the mountain gorilla and its habitat.
2. The student will be able to list factors that threaten the mountain gorilla with extinction.
3. The student will be able to create a flyer promoting efforts to save the mountain gorilla.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. The Virungas are mountains in the very center of Africa-in Rwanda-and are the habitat of mountain gorillas.
2. 3; the mountain gorilla
3. 450; 320
4. Natural changes and disasters, hunters and poachers, and chronic political instability all threaten the long-term survival of the mountain gorillas.
5. Flyers will vary.