Phone recycling saves gorillas
Although our mobile phones are an important part of our lives, they unfortunately mobile phones contain a dangerous mineral called coltan which is deadly to the gorilla, our close animal relative.
Most coltan is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo which has opened up the way to yet more deforestation and the poaching of gorillas, which are popular for their meat in the African bush trade.
The renowned conservationist, Jane Goodall wants un-used phones, has created a plan at Melbourne Zoo to recycle old phones and help to raise funds to employ additional park rangers to prevent poaching.
So far, this program has collected more than six-thousand old mobile phones and sponsored increased numbers of park rangers in Maiko national park.
The primate keeper of Melbourne Zoo, Andrea Edwards, has said that the numbers of gorillas has dropped enormously in the last five years, by as much as seventy percent in some areas.
To participate in the program, phones can be left at Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary or Werribee Zoo or a free postage label can be found on zoo.org.au or the 3 website
