5 Ways to Help Save Mountain Gorillas : Mountain gorillas are critically endangered land apes that share 98% DNA of human found in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo which can be trekking in Virunga ranges in between Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park, Congo’s Virunga National Park and Uganda’s side –Mgahinga Gorilla national park. Despite, the most famous place to trek half the remaining mountain gorillas is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park that lies in the southwestern region of Uganda approximately 8 to 9 hours’ drive from Kampala to the main destination. Alternatively, you can fly by the domestic flight from Entebbe Airport by Aero link Uganda to fly to you to Kihihi Airstrip within 1:30 hours only. From the airstrip drive a short distance to the main gate of the park –drive within 30 minutes to access.
Mountain gorillas had gone into extinct during the 19th century when there was less than 400 endangered mountain gorillas left in the world but due to the conservation measures provided by the government today has played a great role to the growth of mountain gorillas now around 1065 individuals do exists in the entire world.
Below are the ways on how to help save the mountain gorillas as follows;
Trekking the gorillas
Visitors who come to trek mountain gorillas notice that you’re saving them because the money you use to buy gorilla permits supports the conservation environment, protection, the community around as well as the government body.
Creating awareness
Creating awareness also a great importance of choosing to protect the endangered mountain gorillas through conserving the gorillas.
Avoid trekking gorillas when you’re sick
Visiting gorillas always make sure you’re in good healthy since we humans and we share a close related DNA with them ‘’98%’’ this leads to easier transmission of diseases to our closest cousin and better way to prevent them from getting sick. If you know your sick don’t go to trek gorilla in their nature inhabitant which can lead them to death if their infected but rather stay at the lodge and if possible your money will be refunded back to you.
Donation
Therefore, there are many conservation organizations where you can donate money to. The money donated to such conservation organization helps a lot in the conservation efforts of gorillas. Due to tight security that’s why many tourists prefer doing Gorilla trekking in Rwanda to Uganda. For the reason being Rwanda has better conservation efforts.
Support the local communities
Where gorilla trekking is done, the national parks are surrounded by the local people like the Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla, on visit you can find the local Batwa people who were the first origin inhabitant of the forest used to eat and stay with mountain gorillas in harmony after the existence of the national park. Now Batwa people no long live in this forest but live on community around who make handmade craft, good in entertainments of their amazing tradition dances. They sell hand craft to support their live hood. Through buying these products they will benefits more from visitors coming to trek gorillas thus supporting the lives of mountain gorillas and their protection.
Follow rules and regulations for Gorilla Trekking
While trekking gorillas it is well advisable for visitors to always follow the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking given by the park range guide.
Some of the rules to follow;
Do not get close to gorillas because their vulnerable to human diseases.
Always keep a distance of 6 to 7 meters’ way from gorillas.
Wash your hands before and after trekking.
Do not touch gorillas are wild animals.
There is a limited number of eight people allowed to trek gorillas.
Never attempt to have direct eye contact.
Other activities to engage in –apart from doing gorilla trekking;
Tourists tend to do gorilla trekking on visit to the Gorilla Trekking Parks, not knowing there are also other activities you can engaged in and leave with quite remarkable story to tell the rest such as Birding, golden monkey tracking, Mountain climbing, Visit the Batwa people and the getting through these activities also plays a great role of helping in Gorilla Trekking Experience.
