In 1979, Mountain gorillas were critically endangered. But right now, Mountain Gorillas have made an amazing comeback. How did they do it? Well, the answer to that question might shock you.
Mountain gorillas live in two different groups. One of the groups lives in the Virunga Forest, which covers the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the other group lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
When Sir David Attenborough visited a family of mountain gorillas in 1979, there were about 600 left in the world. The mountain gorillas were registered by UN as “critically endangered,” which means they were close to being extinct. They can’t live in captivity, because they need space to roam around so their only chance of survival is in the wild.
But four decades later, the mountain gorillas’ population includes more than 1000 individuals. The species is now being listed as just “endangered,” a noticeable improvement. What’s the secret of this amazing success? Well, believe it or not, here’s the answer – tourism.
Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, Uganda Wildlife Authority’s first vet since 1995, says “tourism really does help wild animals if it is done right, if the income from tourism really does flow into the local community.”
Many people are willing to pay lots of money to see an actual mountain gorilla in the wild. This creates many opportunities for the local community. When protecting and preserving mountain gorillas brings in money and prosperity for the locals, it gives strong financial incentive for the local to participate in helping and saving the endangered species.
This success story proves that it is possible to save endangered species from extinction. You just need some creativity and effort.
Link: Mountain gorillas: The ripple effect of conservation – BBC News
Mountain gorillas live in two different groups. One of the groups lives in the Virunga Forest, which covers the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the other group lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
When Sir David Attenborough visited a family of mountain gorillas in 1979, there were about 600 left in the world. The mountain gorillas were registered by UN as “critically endangered,” which means they were close to being extinct. They can’t live in captivity, because they need space to roam around so their only chance of survival is in the wild.
But four decades later, the mountain gorillas’ population includes more than 1000 individuals. The species is now being listed as just “endangered,” a noticeable improvement. What’s the secret of this amazing success? Well, believe it or not, here’s the answer – tourism.
Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, Uganda Wildlife Authority’s first vet since 1995, says “tourism really does help wild animals if it is done right, if the income from tourism really does flow into the local community.”
Many people are willing to pay lots of money to see an actual mountain gorilla in the wild. This creates many opportunities for the local community. When protecting and preserving mountain gorillas brings in money and prosperity for the locals, it gives strong financial incentive for the local to participate in helping and saving the endangered species.
This success story proves that it is possible to save endangered species from extinction. You just need some creativity and effort.
Link: Mountain gorillas: The ripple effect of conservation – BBC News
