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Is Gorilla Trekking in Africa Good for Conservation?
Is Gorilla Trekking in Africa Good for Conservation?
Seeing the animals in the wild and getting up close to them is, for many tourists, the most thrilling and unforgettable aspect of their African safari. Many tourists’ bucket lists include encounters with the endangered mountain gorillas of central Africa, which are among the most sought-after experiences. However, a number of significant, frequently contentious, ethical issues invariably come up when it comes to animal encounters (up close) and interactions (touching, strolling with, or riding animals).
Numerous non-profit organizations and companies that provide similar “wild” experiences promote their animal adventures as being good for the species they engage and for the conservation of wildlife in general.
In actuality, contact with animals are typically detrimental to both the animals and conservation.
Safari guests have the option to engage in exciting wildlife-related activities at their own discretion, so by being educated, you may be picky and avoid dubious operations and harmful activities. It is important to consider whether tourist activities involving free-roaming wild animals are morally sound, even though programs that keep and breed animals in confinement are the primary ones being examined. This leads me to the example: going gorilla trekking in the Central African rainforests to witness the critically endangered African Mountain Gorillas.
Does gorilla trekking in Africa have a positive or negative impact on the preservation of these magnificent primates?
Given how seriously endangered gorillas are, it is extremely important to consider how gorilla trekking may affect the conservation of this species. Only 880 individual mountain gorillas remain in the world today, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Given that there aren’t many natural predators for African mountain gorillas and that humans are the main factor causing this species to go extinct, it’s important to consider whether gorilla trekking will endanger the survival of this extremely vulnerable species or save it. Does gorilla conservation benefit from tourism in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)?
The primary risks to the remaining wild gorilla populations must be taken into account in order to analyze the possible detrimental effects of gorilla trekking.
Principal Dangers to Africa’s Wild Gorilla Populations
Loss of habitat (deforestation)
The act of poaching
Human disease transmission
Human conflict, including political upheaval and civil war
Hunting (trophies and bushmeat)
Conflict between humans and wildlife
The greatest significant risk to mountain gorillas in Africa is the spread of infectious illnesses, which is made worse by gorilla trekking. Trekking poses the biggest risk to mountain gorillas because it increases the likelihood that the gorillas will contract human diseases from more frequent and increased human exposure.
#1 Tourism’s Danger of Spreading Human Illnesses to Gorillas
Since humans and gorillas have 98.5% of the same genes, these primates are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases that people can contract. Because of the ease with which these infectious diseases can spread from humans to gorillas, the gorillas’ health is at greater danger when they interact with these primates more frequently. TB, scabies, and diarrhea are among the human diseases that have a negative impact on gorilla populations. Gorillas are susceptible because they lack the immune systems that humans have to fend against illnesses.
One of Africa’s top biologists and conservationists, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, claims that two gorillas in Rwanda have previously contracted an infection and died as a result of contact with tourists.
Because of the dangers of exposing people to wild gorillas, national park officials go with tourists to make sure that the rules are properly followed. Gorilla trekking, which is strictly regulated to lower the chance of spreading avoidable diseases to the gorillas, requires an official permit in the rainforests that border Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although it is a wild adventure, gorilla trekking is a well monitored and controlled activity.
Policies in Place: Regulations & Permits for Trekking
Gorilla hiking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), Virunga (DRC), and Bwindi National Park (Uganda) requires costly permits that must be obtained in advance. To limit the quantity and size of tourist groups that visit the gorillas every day, a restricted number of trekking permits are given out.
In the four national parks of the three nations where trekking is practiced, the rules are essentially the same. Before they go with the trained rangers and their helpers, who aid trekkers in maintaining proper gorilla trekking etiquette, park officials give visitors a briefing on the rules.
According to the DRC’s Virunga National Park authorities, gorilla trekking requires
Visitors will need to wear surgical masks (which are provided) when around gorillas in order to protect their health. There is a rigorous one-hour limit on time spent with the gorillas. Please do not embark on the journey if you are ill, have a fever, diarrhea, or a chronic sore throat. Human diseases can seriously affect mountain gorillas. After being exposed to human respiratory infections and other common illnesses, gorillas have passed away.
Visitors are also kept updated by the tour companies and hotels that assist them with planning their hikes, obtaining permits, and getting to and from the ranger stations. African Pearl Safaris, a travel operator that works with Monumental Expeditions and Safaris, cautions customers that trekking is not allowed if they have even a cold. They also advise guests to talk to their guides if they feel like they have the flu.
In order to reduce contact and, consequently, the spread of infections, the most crucial regulation is to keep a distance of 7 to 10 meters from the gorillas. The gorillas occasionally approach people, getting closer than is advised, which is the issue with this rule.
In order to avoid coming across as hostile, you are advised to remain motionless, avoid making abrupt movements, and turn away from the gorilla if it approaches you. This implies that gorillas and humans approach each other more closely than is safe, which is one of the reasons it is strongly advised to trek while wearing surgical masks, even in places where they are not necessary.
The Ugandan wildlife officials are considering requiring tourists and all visitors to wear face masks during the one-hour visits to the mountain gorillas, according to Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, a board member of the UWA.
Only eight persons may trek at a time, and up to three groups may track in a single day. Groups are also only permitted to spend one hour with the gorillas. You are asked to turn away from the gorillas and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. This is another situation where masks increase safety and are therefore a sensible precaution to safeguard the primates.
Additional Assistance in Veterinary and Medical Care
According to Bunyonyi Overland Resort, a nearby lodge, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has enough veterinary officers working in the conservation zones to maintain the health of the mountain gorillas. Furthermore, according to African Pearl Safaris, the Gorilla Doctors have successfully treated gorillas. In Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—the three nations where wild mountain gorillas can be found—this nonprofit group offers life-saving medical care.
Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a reputable non-profit organization in Uganda, is also attempting to enhance health care in local communities and to raise awareness of human health, mountain gorillas, livestock problems, and disease transmission. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka founded and is currently the director of CTPH, which conducts research on human-gorilla disease transmission as well as the effects of increasing tourism on the health and welfare of gorilla populations in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
See this CNN article – Are Human Viruses Killing the World’s Last Remaining Gorillas? to learn more about CTPH’s work in Uganda and to view three interviews with Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka.
Hunting, poaching, habitat loss, human conflict, and human-wildlife conflict are other threats.
The people in and around the national parks are benefiting greatly from the gorilla trekking tourism sector. Tourism contributes to the improvement of communities in impoverished areas by providing jobs and economic advantages that have a good knock-on effect for gorilla conservation. Their relationship with these giant apes changes as locals gain from gorilla tourism and gain knowledge about these endangered species.
When people have a greater understanding of gorillas and a stake in their welfare, human-wildlife conflict is lessened. The gorillas are becoming more and more valued as long-term tourist attractions and as resources that can generate revenue.
In order to maintain the benefits of education, healthcare, and economic stimulation, the increase in local investments—both social and economic—provides a catalyst for gorilla protection. Previously perceived as rivals for their habitat, unlucky victims of hunting traps, food supplies, hunting awards, and targets for unsustainable financial infusions from poaching, gorillas are currently being protected thanks to tourism and associated social and scientific initiatives.
Some poachers have become game rangers and are now part of anti-poaching patrols, which are vital to the survival of the gorillas.
For treks into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Bunyonyi Overland Resort collaborates with Nomad Africa, one of our main tour operators. According to Bunyonyi Overland Resort, 20% of trekking payments support the local community, making it one of the primary advantages of gorilla trekking tourism. A portion of the permit cost goes toward funding anti-poaching initiatives and paying ranger salaries in order to safeguard the gorillas.
About 10% of Rwanda’s gorilla trekking tourism revenue is used for community projects in the Volcanoes National Park, highlighting the benefits of gorilla trekking and giving rural communities tangible, useful ways to support the conservation of these gentle primates.
According to Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka of the CTPH, in a CNN interview, “each gorilla group brings a minimum of $1 million annually to the surrounding communities, in addition to providing employment in the tourism industry.” This means that gorilla ecotourism in Uganda is a financial lifeline for destitute residents. Beyond the socioeconomic benefits, gorilla trekking tourism has good political, safety, and security ramifications in traditionally difficult areas.
We apologize; are we bothering you?
However, the very gregarious primates that we pursue and photograph in Africa’s rainforests are impacted by gorilla tourism. According to Bunyonyi Overland Resort, we do have an effect on the habituated gorillas’ natural behavior:
“The trekking of gorillas is causing a bit of discomfort among the gorillas through photographing & filming them, carrying out research on them, since you have to monitor and move with them all the time.”
The previously mentioned limitations, which include restricting the number of visitors per group and the number of groups per day, as well as maintaining a respectful distance from the gorillas, are also intended to minimize disruption. Lowering your voice, avoiding abrupt movements, and turning off your flash when shooting pictures are some tips to reduce human interference. Spitting and littering are prohibited in the conservation areas (yes, it must be stated explicitly). Additionally, it is forbidden to eat or drink near the enormous apes.
The increasing quantity of lodges and hotels in and around national parks and buffer zones also somewhat disrupts the remaining gorillas’ optimum natural environment.
In summary, gorilla trekking is generally beneficial for gorilla conservation.
In conclusion, the tourist sector does not jeopardize gorilla conservation overall, even though gorilla trekking in Africa does increase the chance of exposing gorilla populations to human pathogens. Nevertheless, gorilla trekking must be properly and carefully regulated if the advantages of tourism are to continue to exceed the drawbacks.
Not everything is positive, but as Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka states, tourism…
“provides an economic incentive and enables the community to get more involved in gorilla ecotourism and conservation” .
The growing number of tourists visiting the endangered gorillas in their natural habitat is proving to be a significant factor in the struggle for the survival of this species. Gorilla trekking tourism supports efforts to protect these animals and improve conditions in local communities.
By helping to pay for reserve management, gorilla monitoring, and the salaries of rangers who patrol the forests to prevent poaching, each visitor who purchases a gorilla permit to trek and pays the park authorities for trekking excursions supports gorilla conservation. In and around the national parks that serve as safe havens for the last gorillas in the rainforests of Central Africa, every visitor who supports the local economies, stays in local lodges, employs local operators, engages in local activities, and dines at local establishments contributes to the development of more wholesome communities.
Follow the guidelines, wear a surgical mask while you are with the gorillas, and pay attention to your guide’s advice in the jungle if you plan to trek with Africa’s mountain gorillas. Above all, do not go hiking if you are feeling ill, even if you have a sore throat or “the sniffles.”