The preservation of the fragile habitats where gorillas live is essential for their survival.
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is owned by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a parastatal government body. The park has total protection, although communities adjacent to the park can access some of its resources.
The areas bordering the park have a high population density of more than 300 people per square kilometer. Some of the people who live in these areas are among the poorest people in Uganda. The high population and poor agricultural practices place a great deal of pressure on Bwindi forest, and are one of the biggest threats to the park. 90% of the people are dependent on subsistence agriculture, as agriculture is one of the area’s few ways of earning income.
Prior to Bwindi’s gazetting as a national park in 1991, the park was designated as a forest reserve and regulations about the right to access the forest were more liberal and not often enforced. Local people hunted, mined, logged, pit sawed, and kept bees in the park. It was gazetted as a national park in 1991 because of its rich biodiversity and threats to the integrity of the forest. Its designation as a national park gave the park higher protection status.
State agencies increased protection and control of the park. Adjacent communities’ access to the forest immediately ended.
This closing of access caused large amounts of resentment and conflict among these local communities and park authorities. The Batwa, a group that has relied on the forest, were badly affected. The Batwa fished, harvested wild yams, wild honey and their ancestral sites were located in the park.
Despite the Batwa people’s historical claim to land rights and having lived in the area for generations without destroying the area’s ecosystem, they did not benefit from any national compensation scheme when they were evicted.
Non-Batwa farmers who had cut down the forested areas in order to cultivate them, received compensation and their land rights were recognized. People have lost livestock and crops from wildlife, and there have been some human deaths.
The habituation of gorillas to humans in order to facilitate tourism may have increased the damage they do to local people’s property because their fear of people has decreased.
Poaching Still Threatens Mountain Gorillas
Gorilla poaching | why gorillas are hunted?
Most of the threats lie within the majority of hunting and poaching, habitat destruction, climate change and infectious diseases that threaten the gorilla’s survival. During the early 20th century, the gorilla was shot for game (Berger 1985). This is due through the use of fetishes. These are cured animal parts collected and sold locally for their supposed magical powers. According to Berger 1985, many pounds of gorilla meat are used for consumption and are still prized by many local African cultures. Logging and deforestation seem to be the biggest problems in the survival of the gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are often the victims of poaching, deforestation and war. The film Virunga highlights the sensitivity of the gorillas and their habitat. Though mountain gorillas may seem to have a tough exterior, deep down they are sweet, gentle creatures who have difficulty adjusting to changes in their environment.
In the past the gorilla probably benefited from human activity. As villagers shifted their farms and allowed former pastures to return to secondary forest, which provides the plentiful ground cover (Dixson, 1981). Today most of the hunting is in the form of deforestation and logging (Dixson 1981). Logging means big money, especially in the form of mahogany and other hardwoods (Dixson 1981). The logging companies move deep into the forest, hiring locals to game hunt the gorilla. They then trap gorillas and the preserved flesh is then sent back to the big towns for consumption (MacDonald 1985). The main reason for the increased logging and hunting is the population growth of equatorial Africa. While the lowland gorilla is still relatively stable, the mountain gorillas of Rwanda and Zaire are surrounded by high population density of humans.
Although the borders of the gorillas’ distribution area seem to have changed little over the last few decades, the habitat of this ape species has been fragmented and encroached considerably as forested areas are increasingly reduced and isolated from each other by cultivation. From some regions gorillas have already disappeared altogether because the forest has been destroyed. Therefore they often are confined in small and isolated forest islands.
Gorillas can survive, only if humans can extend a helping hand. Most of the protection lies within governments taking action. Although there are laws and decrees, enforcement is very difficult and almost ineffective (MacDonald 1985). One major factor in the protection of the gorilla has been the national park system. Tourism in areas of Rwanda has raised money for the protection of the endangered species (MacDonald 1985). It is hoped that now, governments and local people can work together to provide a safe future for both gorillas and humankind.
The Role of International Organizations and Local Communities
The conservation of mountain gorillas is a complex and collaborative effort that requires international and local participation. The scale of the challenges involved, from habitat protection to anti-poaching initiatives, means that no single entity can address all the threats to these animals. Effective conservation involves a multifaceted approach in which international organizations provide resources, expertise, and global attention while local communities implement and sustain conservation efforts.
Global Conservation NGOs
International organizations are crucial in protecting mountain gorillas by offering financial support, scientific expertise, and advocacy. The most prominent organizations include the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and Fauna & Flora International (FFI). These organizations work directly in gorilla habitats and engage in advocacy to raise global awareness and secure funding for conservation programs.
For instance, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, named after the famous primatologist dedicated her life to protecting mountain gorillas, operates long-term field programs in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their work involves daily monitoring of gorilla families, scientific research on gorilla health and behavior, and collaboration with local governments and communities to protect critical habitats.
Global NGOs also build capacity, providing local rangers, conservationists, and park managers with the training and tools necessary to protect gorilla populations. They help facilitate international partnerships that bring together conservationists, governments, and private sector stakeholders to address broader issues like habitat preservation and the illegal wildlife trade.
In addition, these organizations often act as the voice of mountain gorillas in international arenas, lobbying for stronger environmental protections and raising awareness about the importance of conserving biodiversity. Their advocacy efforts have been instrumental in garnering international funding and political commitment to protect mountain gorillas.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) manages all the national parks in Uganda. Our staff are on hand to answer questions and help you plan your walks and activities.
Other Organizations Helping Gorilla Conservation
Since mountain gorillas are an endangered species of the wild, they do need our protection in order to keep in existence. Though mountain gorillas are very strong animals and can survive even in the harsh cold environments (they only reside in areas of high altitudes – 2000 to 2500 meters and above, the sea level), they are still very fragile creatures that need serious attention and care (that is why we have Gorilla Doctors caring for their health).
In order to play a role in the conservation, management, maintenance and protection of mountain gorillas, tourists / travellers are encouraged to donate money to the organizations working on ground for the well-being and conservation of these endangered species and the other wildlife.
There are several operating organizations with an aim of environmental conservation and wildlife protection and among these we have; Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project(MGVP), Wildlife Conservation Society(WCS), The Gorilla Organization, World Wildlife Fund ((WWF), African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), the International Gorilla Conservation Programme ( IGCP) and so many others. These organizations have spent decades working together to protect and conserve the area and ensure the gorilla population endures. Their efforts have helped increase the population of these endangered species in the world today and have increased to 15% so far. They work at obtaining the best effective methods for protecting mountain gorillas and some the minority organizations are usually surviving on grants and donations to run their activities and services for the animals’ interests.For example the IGCP and WWF are always supporting African countries of DR Congo, Uganda and Rwanda for the well being of nature in its natural form.
However, donors are advised to always evaluate the organizations for which they might be planning to provide aid. This evaluation and research can be done on the performance of the organization in archiving its mission and goals set for the well-being of mountain gorillas, research on the methods used by the organization to accomplish its established goals, organization’s history on the implementation of its works, what challenges is it facing in its implementation procedures, etc.
The Gorilla Doctors under MGVP, do nurture mountain gorillas and offer them direct life-saving medical care in the wild.
As a matter of fact, the current research has discovered that the work of the Gorilla Doctors together with that of the park rangers and trackers ( in their anti-poaching efforts), have led to about to 40% of the growth of the human-habituated mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Ranges of Africa in de last decade.
To make donations, one can always visit the mountain gorilla conservation and protecting organizations.
Therefore, to contribute in the conservation and protection of mountain gorillas in the Virunga ranges of Africa, you are also encouraged to render support to the game rangers that always sacrifice to save animals in the wild, as a matter of fact, “ The wildlife Conservation Society has pledged a certain amount in the specialty of supporting game rangers and guards together with their families hence leading to an intensified security for the animals and their endurance from hungry human activities. (By saving the guards, the animals too are saved).
Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH)
Formed in 2002 and based in Uganda, Conservation Through Public Health provides a grass root approach to gorilla conservation: by enlightening communities living next to gorilla reserves that they have more to gain from participating in conservation efforts as opposed to trading in bush meat (i.e.,receiving part of the proceeds from park revenues and opportunities to establish tourist-driven businesses) and that by addressing health issues (many human diseases are transmittable to gorillas) they are protecting that investment.
The Gorilla Foundation
Established in 1976, The Gorilla Foundation has been promoting public awareness about the plight of the gorillas through research and education.
Local Governments and Communities
While international organizations provide critical support, the success of mountain gorilla conservation ultimately depends on local communities and governments. National governments in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have made remarkable strides in enacting policies to protect gorilla habitats and reduce threats. Establishing national parks, wildlife reserves, and strict anti-poaching laws are government-led initiatives vital to recovering mountain gorilla populations.
However, local communities near gorilla habitats may be the most crucial conservation stakeholders. Their participation is vital because they have the most direct and sustained interaction with the environment that mountain gorillas depend on. Over the years, conservation efforts have shifted from focusing solely on protecting animals to addressing these communities’ needs and livelihoods. This shift recognizes that the survival of mountain gorillas is closely linked to human well-being.
Several successful community-based conservation models have emerged, particularly those that integrate ecotourism with local development. For example, in Rwanda and Uganda, programs that involve local people as guides, trackers, and conservation workers have created jobs and generated income for villages surrounding national parks. These initiatives offer financial alternatives to activities that degrade the environment, such as logging or poaching. As a result, local communities are more inclined to support conservation efforts because they directly benefit from protecting gorilla habitats.
Additionally, revenue-sharing models where a portion of the income from gorilla tourism is reinvested into local infrastructure and services have had a positive impact. In many cases, this income has funded the construction of schools, clinics, and roads, improving living conditions and reducing the pressure on natural resources.