11 Practical Ways to Protect the Endangered Mountain Gorillas

Discover top 11 practical ways to protect the endangered mountain gorillas in Africa; gorilla conservation, and facts on how to save gorilla population.

A documentary and YouTube video of mountain gorillas is enough to draw someone’s attention and motivate him/her to book a gorilla safari to Africa.

While the inspiration to meet face to face with “one of the most adorable creatures on Earth” is intuitive, such intimate moments with the endangered Giant Apes are sometimes not really the best decision/step for their conservation and survival.

The transmission of diseases, resulting from contact with humans is one of the biggest challenges for these Great Apes and these have sometimes become affected after getting close to humans.

The survival of mountain gorillas, therefore, depends largely on gorilla tourism as well as the unrelenting work of Researchers and scientists.

For passionate travelers that wish to make a significant impact towards the conservation of these Giant Apes, practice/apply the different ways to protect the endangered mountain gorillas;

Ways to Protect the Endangered Mountain Gorillas from extinction

1. Undertake gorilla treks in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo
2. Make significant donations to Conservation Organizations working towards the Protection of Mountain Gorillas
3. Support community projects around Gorilla National Parks
4. Sick travelers can postpone Gorilla Trekking safaris
5. A distance of 7-10 meters has to be maintained when observing/photographing gorillas
6. Take part in other tourist activities in the Gorilla Parks, in addition to gorilla trekking
7. Avoid the purchase of products made with wild animal parts
8. Organizing a fundraiser
9. Undertaking a gorilla safari organized by a tour operator that donates part of the safari cost towards conservation of Giant Apes.
10. Sensitization and awareness initiatives on conservation of mountain gorillas.
11. Sponsor a gorilla in Bwindi, Volcanoes or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.

Detailed ways to protect the endangered mountain gorillas in Africa (Uganda, Rwanda and DRC)

Undertake gorilla treks in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo

It is surprising to learn that without gorilla trekking safaris, these Giant Apes would have probably gone extinct by today. The four East and Central African-based National Parks sheltering mountain gorillas are surprisingly also known for their dense populations within the African Continent. Local community livelihoods depend on farming, hence land is an important part of their lives.

Because of this, instances of habitat encroachment have been witnessed but given the commitment of Ugandan, Rwandan and Congolese Governments, gorilla habitats have been protected from Agriculture.

Interestingly, local communities around these Parks benefit from a certain percentage of gorilla permit revenues as a way of finding other alternative sources of livelihood beyond the National Parks.

Make significant donations to Conservation Organizations working towards the Protection of Mountain Gorillas

Another fantastic way to make a contribution towards the protection of endangered Mountain gorillas is by making significant donations to Conservation Organizations.

Different Organizations such as International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP), Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund (MGCF), and many others.

These conservation organizations have spent years finding the best solutions to protecting the Giant Apes and majority of them depend on Donations and Grants to fund their activities.

By donating any amount of money, you will be supporting the Protection of these Great Apes. Before putting your money, first, make evaluations on the Organization to determine its success towards this cause.

The majority of these organizations have websites where you can find more information on their work as well as make donations.

Support community projects around Gorilla National Parks

Much as the Government Agencies and Conservation Organizations put in a lot of effort in protecting the endangered mountain gorillas, their endeavors would be in vain without the support of surrounding local communities.

The more surrounding communities benefit from gorilla tourism, the more they are likely to contribute towards the protection of the Giant Apes.

Purchase souvenirs from craft shops, undertake cultural tours, and enjoy delicious meals prepared in community-owned restaurants since most of these places employ former poachers.

Sick travelers can postpone Gorilla Trekking safaris

Another way of protecting the endangered mountain gorillas is in the postponement of your gorilla trekking safari if you feel sick.

This is mainly attributed to the fact that these Great Apes and humans have a 98.2% genetic similarity hence making them susceptible to the same communicable diseases that affect humans.

Studies have shown that some Giant Apes have suffered and even died from different infections from humans. After physical injuries, infections have tremendously contributed to the death of mountain gorillas and therefore to keep them safe, protect them from respiratory diseases.

A distance of 7 meters has to be maintained when observing/photographing gorillas

Another wonderful way to protect the endangered mountain gorillas is by maintaining a minimum distance of 7 meters while observing and photographing them.

In so doing, you will be reducing the risk of transmitting diseases while at the same time not disturbing their natural behavior. You wouldn’t want to change the natural behavior of the Giant Apes and it is because of this that Gorilla Doctors and Park Authorities came up with the 7-meter guideline.

Take part in other tourist activities in the Gorilla Parks, in addition to gorilla trekking

Most visitors to the Gorilla Parks organize short tours (2-3 days) with only gorilla trekking adventures on their bucket list then depart.

Interestingly, whichever gorilla trekking destination you visit, be assured of other riveting experiences, and the revenue from these activities benefit the Governments as well as surrounding local communities.

For Virunga National Park, travelers can add Mount Nyiragongo hikes, guided forest walks, birding tours, and chimpanzee trekking while trekkers to Volcanoes National Park can add Dian Fossey gravesite hikes, Volcano climbing, bird watching, golden monkey tracking, Musanze Cave Tours, and visit Gorilla Guardian Village.

For Bwindi forest treks, visitors can also undertake mountain biking tours, bird watching, guided forest walks, Batwa cultural experiences and for Mgahinga Gorilla treks, volcano climbing can also be added.

Other ways to protect the endangered mountain gorillas from getting extinct

• They include avoiding the purchase of products made with wild animal parts, organizing a fundraiser;
• Undertaking a gorilla safari organized by a tour operator that donates part of the safari cost towards conservation of Giant Apes
• Finally undertaking sensitization and awareness initiatives on conservation of mountain gorillas.