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Mountain gorillas making a comeback
In the latest in a spate of good news about wildlife conservation in Africa, BBC Earth reports that mountain gorillas have increased their numbers on Virunga Massif, their core habitat stretching across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From a population of only 250 thirty years ago, their population has almost doubled to 480 today. Another 302 live in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The rise is attributed to increased cooperation between the three countries to protect the gorillas and stop poachers.
Safaris to see mountain gorillas have become increasingly popular with adventure travelers. Uganda has expanded its gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda is also offering safaris to see the gentle giants.
African nations are getting better at preserving their wildlife. Namibia and Zimbabwe are clamping down on poaching and last year we reported how Niger has pulled a unique subspecies of giraffe from extinction.
[Photo courtesy user KMRA via Wikimedia Commons]
Filed under: Activism, Africa, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ecotourism, News, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
anne Dec 13th 2010 2:31AM
went on a gorilla trek in 2006 both in Uganda and Rwanda. It was AMAZING and awe inspiring. Luckily, we went just before it became "the place to go" so we were able to do this much less expensively than it is now. We loved our tour company, and would recommend them to anyone who is interested. E me at annergizer1216@yahoo.com for more information. PS: we chose to travel via the roads rather than fly from one place to another. This sometimes meant 10 hr days on the road. Loved EVERY SINGLE minute!