Tourists to take pledge on gorilla conservation

The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) is tasking tourists to make a pledge of maintaining best practices aimed at conserving the gorillas and their natural habitats during their visits.

IGCP, a conservation organization focusing on ensuring the long-term survival of the now endangered mountain gorillas through the online ‘Gorilla Friendly Pledge’ campaign wants tourists to pledge to observe gorilla tourism rules and regulations during treks and to share their trekking experiences after the visit.

“We are now talking responsible mountain gorilla tourism and how to conserve these endangered species. Through a lot of collaborations with other conservation partners, in 2018, the status of mountain gorillas changed from critically endangered to just endangered but that doesn’t mean that they are out of danger. Mountain gorillas still remain a conservation-dependent species and our actions determine their continued survival and safety,” Henry Mutabaazi, the country coordinator of IGCP noted.

He further noted that the objectives of the campaign are to raise awareness and willing compliance with established gorilla visitation rules and regulations meant to ensure a rewarding experience for visitors, minimize the risk of disease transmission and human behaviors to gorillas, protect the natural habitats of the gorillas and make gorilla tourism sustainable for future generations. 

“Taking the pledge gives one a chance to play an important role in the protection of mountain gorillas by reducing potential negative impacts on their health and behavior while sharing feedback gives one an opportunity to share their opinions that help conservationists and park managers to strengthen measures that safeguard and secure the future for mountain gorilla as well as improve tourism experience.”

The content of the pledge originates from existing great ape visitation rules and regulations as outlined in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) best practice guidelines for great ape tourism which among other regulations encourage keeping a safe distance of at least 10 metres from the gorillas or even wearing a face mask because they are highly susceptible to diseases like flue, cough, and scabies which they can get from humans as well as not littering and encroaching on their habitat.

Mutabaazi highlighted that the conservation of mountain gorillas should not solely be tied to generating revenue for the country but should also be viewed as a responsibility for humanity pointing out striking similarities between humans and gorillas with a 97 per cent DNA match. 

Those who are advised to take the pledge include tourists, caretakers, rangers, porters, trackers, and researchers. According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda has more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population which the recent 2018 census put at a little more than 1000 remaining on earth. These are found on the slopes of Virunga Mountain in Mgahinga national park and Bwindi Impenetrable national park.

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