Rebels Hampering Gorilla Conservation in The Congo

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species with just over 750 left in the wilds of the region bordering Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. These 3 countries have greatly tried to increase conservation efforts to protect these primates, however, the Democratic Republic of Congo's efforts are being hampered by the take over of the Virunga national park since september last year. This is home of approximately half of the mountain gorilla population left in the wild.

Early this month a group of the Mai Mai rebels set ambush on a vehicle carrying conservationists killing 2 and wounding three. This on the heels of the murder of 5 mountain gorillas last year. This a very huge number of gorillas considering their population. These rebels do not only kill these mountain gorillas but have also started taking naive tourists gorilla tracking. This is not only financing the rebels but also paying the very same people who kill these primates for meat. Besides they do not follow the rules associated with gorilla tracking tours.

For Bwindi gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tour visit the gorilla tracking company.
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Mountain gorilla tracking rules and regulations

Besides watching the great wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara and Serengeti plains, few wildlife experiences can be compared to mountain gorilla tracking in Bwinidi impenetrable forest, Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda; Parc Des Volcans in Rwanda and also in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Tracing or hacking your way through vine-clad forests as you track these gentle giant creatures through dense forest undergrowth combined with the anticipation of seeing these very few but great creatures is truely and awe-inspiring experience. Many a tourist has left the place mesmerized as they observe these massive yet gentle creatures grunting and chewing away at leaves seemingly oblivious to the curious onlookers. There are only a few of these great apes left in the wild, totaling just over 700.

As a result Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) has set up a number of guidelines when tracking gorillas. This is to protect these endangered mountain gorilla species. No more than 10 people are allowed to track a family of gorilla per day and there are strict rules to be adhered to. These include;

* Any one with a communicable disease, like as diarrhoea or flu , is not allowed to visit the gorillas.
* Surrounding the gorillas is not allowed, people are to remain in tight groups.
* Once found contact time is limited to only one hour
* Please observe all instructions from your guide.
* A distance of about 5 meters is to be left between the tracker and the gorillas
* A tracker is advised to move back slowly when approched by the gorillas
* No flashes from cameras are allowed.
* Eating and smoking within 200m of the gorillas is forbidden.
* One is required to cover his / her mouth when sneezing or coughing or turn away from the gorillas.
* Human excrement is to be buried at least 30 cm deep in the ground.
* No disposal of litter within the park.
* Spitting in the park is forbidden.
* Minors (those under 15 years) are not allowed to track gorillas.
* Lound noise and sudden movements when with the gorillas is discouraged.

There are a number of tour operators offering gorilla safari and a quick search with any of your most popular search engine will produce a number of tour operators doing Uganda gorilla safari