Ugandan gorillas under threat but tourist dollars protect
AFP 13 hrs ago
Emmanuel Leroux-Nega
Bwindi (Uganda) (AFP) - Powerfully pushing through thick jungle, the
mountain gorilla is fearless in the face of strangers on his
territory, but the endangered ape is unaware the family group he
guards survives by the thinnest of threads.
The gorillas here in Uganda's lush forests are protected by the
economic lifeline they create for remote communities from the tourist
dollars they generate, providing a key incentive for humans to protect
the giant animals.
The forest in Uganda's far southwest is home to an estimated 400
mountain gorillas -- roughly half of the world's population --
including several families that have been habituated to the presence
of humans.
But it is the income from tourism that is helping protect the animals,
which in the past were regularly hunted for their meat, and by farmers
to protect their crops.
"In order to protect this endangered specie we needed to show the
economic benefit of these gorillas," said Charles Tumwesigye, deputy
head of conservation for the government's Ugandan Wildlife Authority.
"Tourism started as a way of showing the people that gorillas can be
economically important, that we can earn revenue which can improve
your livelihood."
Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo are the only
countries in the world where you can see the giant primates.
But the privilege comes at a high price , costing some $600 (450
euros) for a single, brief visit.
- No silver bullet -
Knowing the cash supports the gorillas "helps to swallow the pill,"
said Blaise Peccia-Galleto, a French tourist.
"We are willing to pay that kind of money because we know that a big
part of those resources are reinvested in the preservation of the
species," he said. "We also feel like we've experienced something very
exclusive."
Threats to the mountain gorilla –- including war, habitat destruction,
and disease –- were once thought to be so severe that the species
could become extinct by the end of the 20th century, but the
population has increased significantly in the last 30 years, largely
due to improved conservation efforts.
"People were stopped from entering into the forest, where they used to
get all their free wild game meat," Seith Byarugaba said, a tourist
operator organising gorilla trips and running a lodge.
"People are now happy because there is some revenue that comes from
gorilla tracking."
Conflict remains due to destruction of crops and property, and
competition for natural resources.
Habitat destruction and human population growth increasingly bring
locals into contact with the gorillas, resulting in the transmission
of human diseases and occasional animal attacks.
Ape experts this week warned that accelerated and unsustainable
exploitation of the earth's primary natural resources has become a
major threat to apes in Africa and Asia, with extraction of natural
resources -- including timber, minerals, oil and gas -- devastating
their prime habitat.
Experts at major United Nations environment conference in Kenya
predicted that at the current rate, human development will have
impacted 90 percent of the apes' habitat in Africa and 99 percent in
Asia by 2030.
A joint UN and Interpol report released this week warned that while
the greatest threat to apes is habitat loss, illegal trade in the
animals is "widespread," with more than 22,000 great apes estimated to
have been taken between 2005 and 2011.
Gorillas were reportedly sold to a zoo in Malaysia for $400,000
(295,000 euros) each, the report added.
But here in Uganda, income from tourists provides an incentive to
protect the gorillas.
- 'Improved my life' -
"Communities have been living with these gorillas for ages before
conservation started, some of them still look at those forest as
places where they use to access resources, like firewood, medicine,"
Tumwesigye added.
"So we thought it was very important that we worked with these
communities, show them that this is still their resource, these
gorillas are still for your benefit."
Armed rangers patrol the park, both to protect tourists after Rwandan
rebels murdered eight tourists in 1999, as well as to guard the
animals themselves.
But getting the local communities onside to support the gorillas is also key.
Tourism dollars have boosted the local economy. In addition to
spin-offs like hotels, souvenir shops, and jobs in the park,
communities receive 20 percent entry fees to the park.
"This business has improved my life," said Michael Kasule, who owns a
small shop selling gorilla carvings. "In the beginning I didn't have
anything."
It can be difficult to balance species survival against the needs of
an incredibly poor area.
Despite its protected status, the jungles of Bwindi are under constant
pressure from local communities.
Efforts are being made to mitigate these conflicts -- the creation of
buffer zones, income generating activities for the community, and
community health programms -- but there is still far to go.
But many argue benefits for the communities are still limited.
"The tourism industry is still outward looking, basically relying on
foreign visitors, and the benefits mostly go to outside owners," said
Samuel Nsingwire from The Gorilla Organisation, a conservation group.
While tourism is far from a silver bullet against poverty -- the
search for sustainable conservation practices maybe be the only way to
ensure that these communities and their gorilla neighbors continue to
share this remote jungle.
42 Comments
Please sign-in to add comments
Sign-in
Popular Now Newest Oldest Most Replied
 RGS_Orlando, 3 hrs ago
Why? Why have the world governments failed to put a "shoot on
sight--all liability waived" on poachers? Why have the world
governments failed to assassinate ...
More
 Rabbid Wolf, 3 hrs ago
These Majestic Animals are soon to be gone from our world just like
all the other animals we have eradicated from the face of this planet.
These Gorilla's, the ...
More
 Kevdog, 7 mins ago
It's a truth that the only way to save some of these species is for
them to have economic value to the locals that makes it worthwhile to
them to do so. ...
More
 Dreamasterr, 2 hrs ago
We are letting our closest living relatives go extinct. Actually
murdering them into extinction. We can continue to make excuses for
our behavior or we can at last take ...
More
 Drake Iverson, 3 hrs ago
Death to poachers and traffickers. Quick, instant DEATH. PERIOD!
 tom, 26 mins ago
I enjoy hunting, but shooting a gorilla would be like shooting a human.
 David, 2 hrs ago
It has been and always will be about property rights. When people can
actually own the land and protect their assets, they do. When
governments own the land, politics ...
More
 WALTER, 16 mins ago
Pay up or the gorilla gets it.
 Stephen, 3 hrs ago
Score one for the gorillas!
 Frank, 3 hrs ago
I am sure that if eco tourism was promoted in Africa that many people
from all over the world would go there and have wonderful vacations
and in the process the living ...More
http://www.google.ca/gwt/x?gl=CA&hl=en-CA&u=http://news.yahoo.com/ugandan-gorillas-under-threat-tourist-dollars-protect-035417263.html&source=s&q=Ugandan+gorillas+under+threat+but+tourist+dollars+protect
Rwanda Latest news
In the last 4 hours
Rwanda, South Africa quietly try to mend fences
The East African - East Africa 14:07
Rwanda banks set to lower interest rates
The East African - East Africa 14:07
In the last 6 hours
Hard times ahead for brewers in bid to maintain profit margins
The East African - Business 12:24
Rwanda brewer now penetrates Uganda
The East African - Business 12:24
Uganda selects final bidders for local refinery
The East African - Business 12:24
Earlier today
RPF 'historicals' take stock of long journey
The East African - East Africa 09:45
RDF of today would have saved more from genocide
The East African - East Africa 09:45
History of the military in Rwanda, by an insider
The East African - East Africa 09:45
ActionAid Rwanda urges govt to increase funds for women farmers
The East African - East Africa 09:45
Crystal Ventures 'competes fairly without State favour'
The East African - Business 09:03
Rwanda needs to grow birding tourism
The East African - Business 09:03
Rwanda economy grew by 7pc in first quarter
The East African - Business 09:03
Rwanda takes lion's share of gorilla tourism
The East African - Features 08:42
Region's cycling looking up
The East African - Features 08:42
Myict Officially Launches Youthconnekt Hangout
AllAfrica 07:20
Eastern Africa IXP and Regional Internet Carrier Workshop Starts in Rwanda
AllAfrica 06:20
Yesterday
Rwanda rebuilds after 1994 genocide
Radio New Zealand - News 22:12 27-Jun-14
Rwanda military blood donation drive seeks 500 units in Army Week
The East African - East Africa 13:32 27-Jun-14
RURA Recognises Best Public Transport Companies
AllAfrica 08:22 27-Jun-14
Renewed WB Support to Boost EDPRS II Agenda
AllAfrica 08:22 27-Jun-14
BRD Gets Rwf4 Billion to Finance Projects That Promote Sustainable Devt
AllAfrica 07:52 27-Jun-14
Frw5.8 Billion Railway Deal Signed Between Rwanda and Uganda
AllAfrica 06:31 27-Jun-14
.com
Producers Urged to Maintain Standards
AllAfrica 06:31 27-Jun-14
In the last 7 days
Dita De Boni: Will the real NZ please stand up?
New Zealand Herald - Opinion 23:13 26-Jun-14
Born again with bikes
Stuff.co.nz - Film 19:44 26-Jun-14
Rwanda: Banks Urged to Tap Opportunities Presented By Mobile Money Service
AfricaNews - Africa 13:25 26-Jun-14
Bralirwa eyes higher volumes with new plant, workers rendered jobless
The East African - Business 12:57 26-Jun-14
Rwanda: DR Congo Visa Policy Leaves Scores Stranded
AllAfrica 11:08 26-Jun-14
EAC Regional Cross-Border Community Sensitization Programme Commences
AllAfrica 10:53 26-Jun-14
Movie review: Rising From Ashes
New Zealand Herald - Entertainment 08:09 26-Jun-14
Uhuru tops tweeting leaders' list
Daily Nation - News 21:45 25-Jun-14
Another cover-up of genocide
Jerusalem Post - Opinion 19:46 25-Jun-14
From Genocide to African Catwalks - How Rwandan Women Are Building
Their Lives and the...
Truthout 15:42 25-Jun-14
Pressure mounts on Rwandan govt to review tax breaks
The East African - Business 14:33 25-Jun-14
Corsham author reflects on experience in Africa for new...
Bath Chronicle 14:11 25-Jun-14
Rwanda trashes report on DR Congo border clashes
The East African - East Africa 13:35 25-Jun-14
Congo autopsies reveal 'executions'
BBC - Africa 12:37 25-Jun-14
Rwandan Central Bank Cuts Benchmark Interest Rate to 6.5%
Bloomberg - Regions 12:13 25-Jun-14
Rwanda, Uganda Sign Rwf5.8 Billion Railway Deal
AfricaNews - Africa 10:58 25-Jun-14
Preparations for the Tenth Kwita Izina in High Gear
AllAfrica - Travel 10:06 25-Jun-14
Rwanda, DRC warned over border deployment
The East African - East Africa 09:31 25-Jun-14
Rwanda: Cross-Border Incident with DR Congo - Rwanda Dismisses Leaked Report
AllAfrica 09:00 25-Jun-14
Uganda - Rwanda railway plans are progressing
eTurboNews 04:46 25-Jun-14
New railway between Uganda and Rwanda takes next hurdle
Wolfgang H Thome's Blog 22:09 24-Jun-14
Gorilla Doctor Named Recipient of a 2014 ROLEX Award for...
WebWire 19:50 24-Jun-14
Kirusa, MTN introduce Celeb Connect, Sports Connect
bizcommunity.com - Travel 16:53 24-Jun-14
Libya appeal to CAF over Rwanda's Birori
Africanfootball.com 15:26 24-Jun-14
How Women Are Building Their Lives and the Fashion Industry
AllAfrica 11:39 24-Jun-14
Rwanda: How Women Are Building Their Lives and the Fashion Industry
AllAfrica 11:33 24-Jun-14
Rwanda: Rwanda Gets U.S. $49million From Meets
AllAfrica 09:38 24-Jun-14
We Need to Invest More in Research
AllAfrica 09:34 24-Jun-14
Rwanda, Uganda Sign Rail Deal
AllAfrica 08:53 24-Jun-14
Military Offers Free Treatment in Army Week
AllAfrica - Health 08:33 24-Jun-14
Rwanda Gets U.S. $49million From Meets
AllAfrica - Travel 07:52 24-Jun-14
Reversing Africa's frontiers of conflicts
Daily Independent - Agenda 00:26 24-Jun-14
Rally Held in Paris for Rwanda's Victims
Fars News Agency - World 12:27 23-Jun-14
Rwanda's PSF, Polish Chamber of Commerce Sign Trade Deal
AllAfrica 11:02 23-Jun-14
From Genocide to African Catwalks – How Rwandan Women are Building
their Lives and the...
Inter Press Service News Agency 10:01 23-Jun-14
Rwanda: Of Shattered Families and Dreams, a Congolese Teen Refugee's Wish
AllAfrica 09:05 23-Jun-14
--
SIBOMANA Jean Bosco
Google+: https://plus.google.com/110493390983174363421/posts
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9B4024D0AE764F3D
http://www.youtube.com/user/sibomanaxyz999
***Online Time:15H30-20H30, heure de Montréal.***Fuseau horaire domestique:
heure normale de la côte Est des Etats-Unis et Canada (GMT-05:00)***
Posted by: Jean Bosco Sibomana <sibomanaxyz999@gmail.com>
| Reply via web post | • | Reply to sender | • | Reply to group | • | Start a New Topic | • | Messages in this topic (1) |
.To post a message: RwandaLibre@yahoogroups.com; .To join: RwandaLibre-subscribe@yahoogroups.com; .To unsubscribe from this group,send an email to:
RwandaLibre-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
_____________________________________________________
More news: http://www.amakurunamateka.com ; http://www.ikangurambaga.com ; http://rwandalibre.blogspot.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-SVP, considérer environnement avant toute impression de cet e-mail ou les pièces jointes.
======
-Please consider the environment before printing this email or any attachments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment