Do you know that your mobile phone could be contributing to the extinction of gorillas and other primates?
Why you may ask?
Because most mobile phones contain a rare mineral called ‘Coltan’ and 80% of the world’s Coltan is mined in African forests. Open cut mining is causing major habitat loss for the primates. As food becomes scarce primates wander into agricultural areas in search of food and then can be killed for ‘bush’ meat. In the next 12months, more than one BILLION mobile phones will be sold around the world, most of them containing Coltan. By recycling old mobile phones and diverting them from landfill, we can lessen the need for Coltan mining. The Taronga Zoo Foundation has initiated the recycling of old mobile phones and asking schools and other organisations to collect them. Funds raised from recycling will be shared with the Jane Goodall Institute and the Taronga Zoo Foundation to support vital conservation work.
The Persian Carpet Store in the Mall is a collection centre. Collection will begin on Thursday Oct 13 and extend until November 30th. Please think of the loss of wonderful Silverbacks and other primates when you buy a new mobile phone.
Best wishes,
Izabel Soliman
