Mountain gorillas’ survival offers hope of tackling biodiversity crisis – BBC News

Negotiations aimed at stemming the world’s biodiversity crisis and saving millions of species from extinction are taking place in Kenya.

Scientists say that human activity is causing species extinction at around 100 times the natural "background rate". They warn that the world is experiencing an “extinction event” comparable in scale with the disaster that saw the dinosaurs wiped out.

The United Nations negotiations are seeking to reach a global agreement to protect biodiversity. The aim is to agree 21 targets, including protecting at least 30% of the world’s land and seas by 2030.

40 years ago Africa’s mountain gorillas faced extinction. Now thanks to a huge conservation effort their numbers are increasing.

It’s an example of successful conservation that could provide a model for wider protection of animals and plants under threat.

Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Justin Rowlatt in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

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