How To Save Mountain Gorillas
How to Save Mountain Gorillas
How To Save Mountain Gorillas : Mountain gorillas have long been a critically endangered species with a threat of extinction however in the recent years with some conservation efforts, the mountain gorilla species left the critically endangered species to the endangered species list of the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Mountain gorillas are an endemic species of the Albertine region and the Bwindi forest and these are the only two places in the whole world where you can visit these mountain gorillas.
The Mountain gorillas can be visited in four national parks in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic republic of Congo and these are the Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, the Mgahinga gorilla national park, the Volcanoes national park and the Virunga national park. According to the last census that was carried out, there were about 1,063 mountain gorillas living in the area and in the entire world as these mountain gorillas can only survive in the wild and not in captivity like the lowland gorillas that can be visited in a number of zoos in the world.
The mountain gorilla shares up to 99% of the human DNA and this is one of the fascinating facts about these animals. The numbers of the mountain gorillas continue to grow and a number of newborns are being received in all the national parks and this is a positive impact to the mountain gorillas and there are a number of ways you as an individual can contribute to the survival and thriving of the species.
Purchase a mountain gorilla trekking permit
The Virunga national park of the DR Congo, the Volcanoes national park of Rwanda and the Bwindi forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park all offer mountain gorilla trekking permits to guests interested in seeing these gentle giants. By purchasing a mountain gorilla trekking permit, you are indirectly contributing economically to ensure the mountain gorillas are looked after by the park stakeholders. A mountain gorilla trekking permit goes for 400 USD, 700 USD and 1,500 USD in DR Congo, Rwanda and Uganda respectively.
Postpone your gorilla trek if you are unwell
The mountain gorillas have a very close relation to the human species which implies they can contract any viral human disease and by taking on the trek when you are unwell, you are exposing the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas on contracting the human viral disease may not be a pleasant thing as it may spread faster and recovery is not guaranteed.
The mountain gorilla immunity is not as strong as for humans so by staying away and opting to trek on a much later date will save the mountain gorillas. The most common contractions are colds and even the COVID-19 is a possible contraction thus the masks on throughout the entire gorilla trek.
Make a donation
Go a higher step and go beyond purchasing the mountain gorilla trekking permit and make a donation to any of the gorilla conservation organizations. The gorilla conservation organizations are dedicated to conserve and protect the mountain gorillas and an extra coin could come in handy to their operations. There are a number of those and the park authorities can share with you some of these and you can research which or whose mission is most probable for your interest.
Support a local community project
When in the area, look out for a local community run project and contribute either financially or physically so as to show support to their cause. The local communities living around the mountain gorilla parks are stakeholders and without their support, the activity cannot be successful. The more the local community benefits from the tourism activity in the area, the more they get interested in the conservation of the natural resources in the area, the mountain gorillas inclusive. Visit a cultural center, a local market or a locally owned restaurant to show your support.
Abide by the rules and regulations set by the park.
Ahead of the mountain gorilla trekking, all the treks will be briefed by the ranger guides on the expected code of conduct while in the forest. Every mountain gorilla family will only be allowed 8 individuals and this is done in an effort to not make the mountain gorillas uneasy with the human interference. The trekkers will also be required to keep their voices down and keep a 6 meter distance and not even feed the mountain gorillas and by abiding by these rules, you are protecting the mountain gorillas in their wild state.
Book yourself other activities in the park.
Parks like the Mgahinga gorilla national park will require you to pay entrance fees on every entry for an activity and a percentage of this park entry is reverted back in the maintain ace and protection of the natural resources of the park and this includes the mountain gorillas as well. The revenue generated in the area from the tourism activity is also shared and put to support the local communities.
Support initiative to end poaching
One of the biggest challenges to the thriving of the mountain gorillas is the poaching. The Uganda wildlife authority, the Rwanda Development Board and the Virunga rangers all put extra effort in catching the poachers and hefty punishments are given to the culprits but if there is an extra idea you can share, it would be great and well received.
Avoid purchasing products from the mountain gorilla parts
The black market will definitely have some products sold to people either as a souvenir or even for medicinal or witchcraft in some places but as a gorilla conservative forward person, it would be your chance to say no to them so as to reduce the market for these goods. There are other wildlife that face this challenge like the rhinos whose trunks are sold for ivory leaving the rhinos for dead or harmed.
Create awareness
In your capacity and influence, it would be great if you spread the importance of conserving wildlife especially the mountain gorillas. This could be by holding fundraisers or pulling donations to any of the gorilla homes to facilitate the conservation. Any outreach for the mountain gorilla conservation cause will count and also get others interested in trekking the mountain gorillas to have their personal contribution as well.
How To Save Mountain Gorillas: 1 When you track gorillas you are also contributing to conservation as park of the money for the permit is used to do conservation work.
Mountain gorillas are endangered species of apes that can only be trekked in the Virunga ranges found in between Rwanda, Congo and Uganda and then the famous Bwindi impenetrable national park in the south western part of Uganda.
Tourists often visit the gorilla trekking parks and only do gorilla trekking yet there are a lot of tourists activities to be done like mountain climbing, golden monkey trekking. The money got through this activities is also helpful in gorilla trekking.
Mountain gorillas were almost extinct in the 19th century there were less than 400 mountain gorillas left in the world but due to the conservation measures put in place today mountain gorillas number about 1000 in the whole world. There are many different ways in which you can get involved in saving mountain gorillas
2) Desist from tracking while sick as you may infect the gorillas leading to their death.
3) Keep the 8 meter distance as advised as this will reduce on the possibility of transmission of any infection.
4) Support the local community when you finish tracking by buying their crafts as these will be encouraged to do more conservation and stop poaching
5) Spend more time within the area after tracking, as this will increase on the revenue of the government and hence invest more into conservation.
6) Do not buy any products made out of animal products as this will encourage more poaching.
7) Try to donate to the conservation groups your meet. You do not have to have a million to donate, donate from as little as USD 1
8) Try to spread the word about these endangered species and encourage more people to come see them as this will in the end save them.
