Mountain Gorilla Conservation Efforts – Ways to Save Gorillas
Due of their endangered status, various stakeholders have put up Mountain Gorilla Conservation Efforts to save, conserve and make sure the survival and continuity of the primates. Currently, there is an estimated 1000 mountain gorillas remaining in the world. These gorillas are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Other gorillas live the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda the Virunga National Park the Democratic Republic of Congo. All the gorilla tours in Africa are only enjoyed in the mentioned 3 countries and 4 parks.
Government Efforts in Gorilla Conservation
In the move to conserve the endangered primates, governments with their authoritative bodies are at the forefront of the crusade. Even though nongovernmental bodies and agencies are also at the frontline in fighting for the rights and survival of the mountain gorillas that are risking extinction if no moves to save them.
In Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is in charge of managing and protecting national parks plus other wildlife attractions in the country. Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park are under the this body.
The Rwanda Development Board ensures that the Volcanoes National Park with its gorillas as well as other tourists destinations in the country are well managed and conserved.
The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), semi-government authority makes sure that all the protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are properly conserved. The Virunga National Park is among Congo’s protected wilflide areas.
International Bodies in Gorilla Protection
The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) has been a key partner in protecting Mountain gorillas in the east and central african region. The IGCP was set up in 1991 to conserve the gravely endangered mountain gorillas in their habitat in the forests of the Virunga Massif in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo.
African Wild Foundation
The African Wild Foundation (AWF) is another conservation partner in the mountain gorilla survival. In early 2018, the body offered 27 hectares (69 acres) of land near the Volcanoes National Park reinforce the ongoing programme of expanding the habitat of the gorillas and all the wildlife in the park. The land was an addition to the 16,000 hectares, the current area size of the entire park.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is a charity fund for protecting the critically endangered mountain gorillas. The fund also known as The Digit Fund was created up by the late Dr. Dian Fossey in 1978 for financing her anti-poaching patrols and prevention poaching of the mountain gorillas.The Gorilla Fund leads the world in conserving and studying gorillas at the same time assisting communities strengthen their conservation potentials.
Localised Efforts
In Bwindi, there is a Gorilla Health and Community Conservation Centre (CTPH). The Centre works hand in hand with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to analyze the gorilla samples whose findings are key in curbing possible disease between the primates and humans. The sample analysis helps in prevention of the spread of diseases between people and the gorillas. Humans need gorillas and the gorillas too need human beings, therefore curbing any disease exchange or transmission between the two is conservation well done.