About 60 tour operators and guides in Uganda were recently sensitized on the Gorilla FriendlyTM pledge initiative and on-going online campaign. International Gorilla Conservation Program and Wildlife Enterprise Network in collaboration with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators conducted a two days meeting for tour operators and guides in Kampala. The meeting focused on the […]
i.Common Name: Cross River Gorilla
ii.Subspecies: Gorilla gorilla diehli
iii.Red List Status: Critically Endangered
iv.Tourism at sites: Organized tourism to view this subspecies does not exist (although tourism in national parks where they live is possible)
Photo by: WCS Nigeria Program
i. Common Name: Mountain gorilla
ii. Subspecies: Gorilla beringei beringei
iii. Red List Status: Endangered
iv. Range States: Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda
v. Tourism at sites:
1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
2. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
3. Virunga National Park, DRC
4. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Photo by:Maryke Gray
i. Common Names: Grauer’s gorilla (Eastern lowland gorilla)
ii. Subspecies: Gorilla beringei graueri
iii. Red List Status: Critically Endangered
iv. Range states: Democratic Republic of Congo
v. Tourism at sites: Kahuzi-Biega National Park
i. Common Name: Western lowland gorilla
ii. Subspecies: Gorilla gorilla gorilla
iii. Red List Status: Critically Endangered
iv. Range States: Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo,
Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon.
v. Tourism at sites:
1. Dzanga-Sangha National Park, Central African Republic
2. Loango National Park, Gabon
3. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Congo-Brazzaville
4. Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Congo-Brazzaville
Photo by: wikimedia Western Lowland Gorilla
Gorillas may be susceptible to SARS CoV-2 (causing COVID-19) and therefore taking this Pledge is more important than ever! Correct wearing and disposal of face masks is now mandatory at sites, and the recommended minimum viewing distance for gorilla visitation has increased from 7m to 10 m (33 feet).
