Bwindi, Uganda – In the mountainous terrains of Bwindi, Uganda, a sick or injured mountain gorilla stirs deep concern among local residents. The emotional connection to these critically endangered primates stems from the fact that most of them are named, allowing rangers and the community to empathize with their plight easily.
The eagerness to protect these gorillas is not just a matter of empathy but also economic necessity. Tourism has transformed former poachers into conservationists, empowered local women as porters, and turned rangers into articulate advocates for the gorillas.
"Whenever a gorilla falls ill, everyone asks why, wanting to know the cause," said Joyleen Tugume, a ranger-guide at Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. "Even the locals are deeply moved." Poaching in the park has become rare because "we're all working together to ensure conservation proceeds smoothly, as we're all benefiting from it," Tugume added.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts habituated gorilla groups that have grown accustomed to human presence.
A Thriving Tourism Economy – Tourists invest significantly, with each foreign non-resident permit costing USD 800, to see gorillas in their natural environment. A policy mandates that USD 10 from each permit is returned to the local community, allowing leaders to invest in essential projects like water and healthcare. Additionally, local communities receive 20% of all park entrance fees annually.
Locals, including former poachers living near the park, acknowledge that the substantial revenue has played a crucial role in species recovery, as habitat encroachment and poaching declined through strengthened collaboration with nearby communities.
Philemon Mujuni, once a poacher himself, used to perceive gorillas as dangerous threats. As a child, he often accompanied his father, "a senior poacher," into the forest to carry back antelopes. However, the killing of a beloved gorilla named Rafiki in 2020 prompted Mujuni and others to form a group of reformed poachers, recognizing gorillas as invaluable.
These former poachers now act as community watchdogs, actively preventing others from setting traps that could inadvertently ensnare gorillas, bolstering the efforts of armed rangers regularly patrolling the park.
"Upon receiving conservation awareness training, we committed to reforming and ceasing poaching in Bwindi," Mujuni stated. "I won't venture there because, through Bwindi's conservation team, we earn money from the gorillas we once hunted."
Peter Tumwesigye, a member of the reformed poacher group, asserted that individuals causing a gorilla's demise should face imprisonment as a deterrent to others.
Most of the world's mountain gorillas inhabit the Virunga Massif, a mountainous region spread across Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Since 2018, when surveys revealed the population exceeded 1,000, the future of mountain gorillas has brightened. This marks a significant recovery for a species once on the brink of extinction last century.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) now classifies the mountain gorilla as endangered, an improvement from its previous critically endangered status. About half of these gorillas reside in Uganda.
Besides Bwindi, Uganda's Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another location where gorillas can be tracked in the wild, albeit with only one gorilla family. In contrast, Bwindi boasts 27 accessible groups for visitors.
Rangers like Tugume track the gorillas daily, even on holidays. Guided by her, tourists navigate the forest as she deftly clears the path, occasionally sharing insights about gorilla behavior.
"Leadership among gorillas involves fierce competition," she explained, referencing a young male eventually challenging the leader—known as the silverback—for mating rights.
At the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices in Buhoma, rangers and porters gather each morning, eager to assist tourists and earn generous tips while navigating the dense forest.
Porters, sometimes aiding physically challenged tourists, are essential, with fees reaching around USD 300.
"The financial significance of gorilla tourism can't be overstated," emphasized Gessa Simplicious of the Uganda Tourism Board. "It fosters trust and raises conservation awareness." (AP)
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