Mountain Gorilla Conservation in Rwanda and DRC
March 26, 2012
Mountain gorillas are a highly endangered species and have been faced with the threat of habitat loss as well as the dangers of poachers. These gentle giants can be found in the three Countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda only.
There are only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild with half of them found in the Virunga massif. In the Virunga's they are found in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively.
These two national parks butt one another and other separated by the border line of the two countries.
On February 12th this year a baby mountain gorilla was found dead after being snared by a trap that poachers who had encroached into the national park had set up. Many of these poachers lay their traps for the antelopes and small animals that are found in these forests. However, the baby mountain gorillas are often inadvertently caught in these traps which if it does maim them ultimately leads to their death.
The plight of these gentle giants was first highlighted by Dian Fossey a primatologist who spent 20 years studying and raising awareness about the plight of these mountain gorillas as well as the other primates found in the region. It is unfortunate that she was eventually killed in her efforts to protect these beautiful animals.
Today to promote tourism as well as raise awareness and funds for the conservation of these endangered gorillas, the three Countries where these mountain gorillas are found have habituated some of the gorilla families and opened them up for mountain gorilla trekking.
In Rwanda a mountain gorilla trekking permit costs $750, for each foreign tourist visiting Volcanoes national park. Whereas in Uganda the value of the gorilla permits has remained the same. Lonely Planet say a Uganda gorilla tour is the most preferred of the three countries given its location and the other opportunities it offers.
The formation of the anti-poaching team has so far yielded results according to Mr. Prosper U. a conservationist with Volcanoes national park. He said that they have confiscated a couple of traps and deterred many poaching attempts.
There are only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild with half of them found in the Virunga massif. In the Virunga's they are found in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively.
These two national parks butt one another and other separated by the border line of the two countries.
On February 12th this year a baby mountain gorilla was found dead after being snared by a trap that poachers who had encroached into the national park had set up. Many of these poachers lay their traps for the antelopes and small animals that are found in these forests. However, the baby mountain gorillas are often inadvertently caught in these traps which if it does maim them ultimately leads to their death.
The plight of these gentle giants was first highlighted by Dian Fossey a primatologist who spent 20 years studying and raising awareness about the plight of these mountain gorillas as well as the other primates found in the region. It is unfortunate that she was eventually killed in her efforts to protect these beautiful animals.
Today to promote tourism as well as raise awareness and funds for the conservation of these endangered gorillas, the three Countries where these mountain gorillas are found have habituated some of the gorilla families and opened them up for mountain gorilla trekking.
In Rwanda a mountain gorilla trekking permit costs $750, for each foreign tourist visiting Volcanoes national park. Whereas in Uganda the value of the gorilla permits has remained the same. Lonely Planet say a Uganda gorilla tour is the most preferred of the three countries given its location and the other opportunities it offers.
The formation of the anti-poaching team has so far yielded results according to Mr. Prosper U. a conservationist with Volcanoes national park. He said that they have confiscated a couple of traps and deterred many poaching attempts.
Posted by Elong Gipson.