Gorillas prepped for tourists

2007-10-09 23:03

Kampala - Uganda's Wildlife Authority (UWA) plans to start exposing two groups of rare mountain gorillas to human contact, paving the way for more visits to the country's most lucrative tourist attraction.

Uganda's legendary mountain gorillas, renowned for the shimmering silver hair adorning the backs of their males, draw thousands of tourists each year. Many are high-end travellers paying $500 (about R3 500) a visit plus hefty safari lodge prices.

The gorillas are found only in the dense forests straddling the border between Rwanda, Uganda and eastern Congo. With fewer than 750 left, they are one of world's most endangered species.

The UWA has habituated four social groups of six to seven gorillas each in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, meaning they are accustomed to seeing people and do not lash out or run off.

Rangers pave the way

Rangers and primatologists accustom the gorillas by spending progressively more time close to them each day.

"We plan to start habituating two more groups (in Bwindi) soon, but it will probably take two years before they will be ready to take visits from tourists," said Sam Mwanda, UWA deputy director.

The UWA says each group can only receive eight tourists per day - any more stresses them out and puts them at greater risk of contracting potentially deadly diseases.

In July, the government put up the price of a gorilla visiting permit to $500 per day, but waiting lists have persisted.

"Habituating these groups will increase tourist revenue. We will use this money for conservation in community projects and better enforcement," Mwanda said.

Tourist dollars had funded conservation efforts boosting the region's gorilla population from 650 in the mid-1990s to 750 - a rare recovery for a species with so few individuals left.

Tourism and coffee are Uganda's top earners.

The state Tourism Board says the sector nets more than $200m (about R1.4bn) a year.

- Reuters