How does gorilla trekking benefit conservation efforts? – How gorilla tourism supports conservation

How does gorilla trekking benefit conservation efforts? Mountain gorilla trekking is an outstanding wildlife adventure which offers a wide range of activities like trekking and hiking through the impenetrable forest of Africa to search for endangered mountain gorillas. Nothing beats an encounter with a gorilla family in the wild, you get to experience an hour in the life of these massive creatures as they go by their day. Mountain gorillas are close relatives to mankind sharing up to 98% of their DNA with humans and you will observe similarities between them and us. While around mountain gorillas, a sense of hierarchy is felt from the silverback (dominant male & watching over the family), babies and mothers all feeding from the same place.

Despite the awesomeness of the gorilla trekking in Africa with awe-inspiring sightings, many travelers are anxious to know about the sustainability and ethics of the adventure. Most visitors ask; How does gorilla trekking benefit conservation efforts? How does gorilla tourism support conservation? To mention but a few due to the many factors influencing the activities.

Others also want to know; How does gorilla trekking benefit conservation efforts? The adventures of Mountain gorilla trekking have been helpful in conserving the home of gorillas in Africa. This activity not only benefits the endangered gorillas alone but also the people who live near them. The impact of gorilla trekking extends to the local people, gorillas and the government. The revenue for gorilla trekking is invested back into conservation efforts and communities which were relocated to other places at the time the national parks were set up. If you still need satisfactory information on how gorilla trekking supports conservation? Here is an informative article to enlighten you about how gorilla trekking  contributes to conservation, its impact on the local communities, and ethical gorilla trekking practices.

 

Facts about mountain gorilla trekking – Evolution of gorilla trekking

The International community was adamant about gorilla conservation not until in 1960s when Dian Fossey, who was a primatologist from America moved to the eastern Africa to research about the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. These creatures were few in the wild about 240 mountain gorillas, and Dian took time to awaken the world about the need to conserve them.

In 1990s there were efforts from the authorities in Uganda leading to the creation of two Gorilla trekking National Parks. The homes of mountain gorillas are in the southwest area around the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best place to find these endangered primates with half of the world’s population living in its jungles. Rwanda also played a crucial role by setting up the Volcanoes National Park to protect the mountain gorillas.

In the recent times due to public demand, a new process of habituating gorillas was started. This aimed at identifying a good number of families to make them used to living around people. Gorilla habituation is a gradual process of training mountain gorillas to get used to the presence of humans. This is not something that is achieved overnight but several years of altering the behavior of gorillas to introduce them to humans. Without habituation, it would be difficult for visitors to get close to mountain gorillas in the wild during Mountain gorilla trekking safaris/Gorilla trekking tours.

Since 1990, there has a tremendous increase in the gorilla population, the individuals are about 1000 living in the forests of East Africa. This is a huge number compared to the 240 gorillas that were in the jungle during the days of Dian Fossey and without the conservation efforts, this number could have become extinct.

Currently, many visitors from different countries travel to Uganda, Rwanda and D.R Congo to see the gentle primates in the wild. As a result, a lot of revenue has been realized by the authorities in charge. This comes from the sales of Gorilla Trekking Permits issued to various trekkers to allow them do the adventure. The money also caters for the conservation efforts like protecting the habitat, monitoring gorillas among others.

How does gorilla trekking benefit conservation efforts?

• It is a source of financial assistance
• Makes local people participate in conservation
• Increases sensitization about gorilla conservation
• It promotes the protection of Gorilla Trekking National Parks
• Facilitated Research and Monitoring of Gorilla
• It brings about political and legal support

How does gorilla trekking benefit wildlife? – Benefits of mountain gorilla trekking to wildlife

Promote Habitat Protection

For those looking forward to going on a gorilla trekking safari to Africa, it is important to adhere to the ethics into to promote wildlife conservation and habitat protection. This process begins the moment you purchase a gorilla trekking permit from which the authorities rise funds to carryout conservation projects and activities. The funds are reinvested into protecting the endangered primates and supporting communities.

Some of the revenue generated from gorilla permit sales is usually invested in gorilla habitat protection. There are various approaches applied to protect the gorilla habitat such as restoration of deforested areas and relocating of individuals that have encroached the gorilla habitat. Through purchasing gorilla permits, you are actually supporting gorilla habitat preservation and protection.

Facilitated Research and Monitoring of Gorillas

Gorilla conservation is a project that entails a wide range of activities to safeguard the gentle giants of Africa. Research and monitoring of the gorillas are some of the major operations to undertake in order to keep their numbers growing. The results from these studies influence the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking, like wearing face masks, observing the minimum distance among others. Gorilla research attracts many primatologists to visit Rwanda and Uganda, for example Dian Fossey who visited in the early 1960s. Sometimes the authorities in charge of the habitats of the primates reinvest the money in order to safeguard them and influence their survival overtime.

How does gorilla trekking benefit local communities?

Supports Community projects

Gorilla Trekking is a source of funds for the local people around the national parks who depend on these adventures for a living. A portion of the money from the gorilla permits goes to funding of commercial activities and projects in the neighboring villages. Most of the projects have been successful because of funds from primate tracking tours in Uganda and Rwanda and as a result lives have been transformed. In the nearby villages, you will able to see schools, hospitals and lodges, all from these adventures.

Local Community Involvement in Conservation

Gorillas trekking experience bring travelers close to the locals from nearby villages and communities. Many of the people involved in the trekking like porters and guides come from the villages surrounding Bwindi, Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park. It is without doubt that the gorilla trekking safaris have created jobs to the nearby people and their involvement has been increased annually. When visiting the gorilla destinations, remember to support the community by hiring porters to carry your luggage during the trek.

Community involvement is also a mechanism of conservation to engage locals in the conservation efforts by giving a share of the cake. Poaching and other illegal activities are reduced because of the new jobs created for locals who realize the need to conserve the home of gorillas.

How can I support gorilla conservation during my trekking tour? – How does gorilla trekking benefit conservation efforts?

Observe the rules and guidelines for trekking mountain gorillas

Remember to reach out to the  local communities by purchasing some of their products

Donate or Volunteer to reputable conservation options

Sensitize people  about gorilla conservation

While in the park try to conserve the natural home for gorillas

Choose a reputable tour operator like Nirvana Safaris.