WWF Presses Oil Giant Total Not To Drill on World Heritage Site

The World Wildlife Fund is asking French oil giant Total for its assurance that it will keep its operation out of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Virunga National Park.

In an upcoming open letter to Total's investors, who are scheduled to hold their annual meeting May 17, the conservation group expressed its concern over Totals ongoing activities at the edge of Africa's first national park, which is also the continents oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

WWF's open letter will be published in the 16 May, 2013 edition of French newspaper Le Monde.

Virunga is deemed a "no-go" zone for oil exploration but the WWF fears that possible future changes to park boundaries could open up a loophole that would allow for drilling in sensitive habitats, which the organization says would endanger wildlife such as mountain gorillas as well as the livelihoods of locals.

Last year Total was granted an oil concession that included a portion of the World Heritage Site.

"At its annual general meeting, Total has a unique opportunity to live up to the expectations of our fellow citizens and some of its shareholders and financial partners," said WWF-France's J.B. Roelens.

"By making a public commitment never to operate within the current boundaries of Virunga National Park, nor any other UNESCO World Heritage Site, Total could make May 17th a landmark date in corporate social and environmental responsibility."

According to the WWF, eight in 10 French citizens say they would "very much" like French companies to promise not to exploit World Heritage Sites for oil. Furthermore, the organization reports that 80 percent of the French say they would be more likely to buy oil or gasoline form a company that promised not to engage in oil or gas extraction in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.