HOW GORILLA TOURISM CAN SAVE THE ENDANGERED APES AND BOOST LOCAL ECONOMIES

Gorillas are one of the most endangered animals in the world, facing threats such as habitat loss, poaching, disease, and human-wildlife conflict. However, there is a way to help protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats while also supporting the livelihoods and well-being of the local communities: gorilla tourism.

Gorilla tourism is a form of ecotourism that involves visiting gorillas in their natural habitats and observing them from a safe distance. Gorilla tourism is mainly practiced in three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the remaining populations of mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas live.

Gorilla tourism has many benefits for both wildlife and people. Here are some of them:

Gorilla Tourism Benefits for Wildlife

• Gorilla tourism generates revenue for conservation. Gorilla tourism is a major source of income for the national parks and conservation organizations that protect the gorillas and their habitats. For example, in Uganda, a gorilla permit costs $700 USD per person per day, and 20% of this fee goes to community development projects around the parks. In Rwanda, a gorilla permit costs $1,500 USD per person per day, and 10% of this fee goes to community conservation initiatives. In DRC, a gorilla permit costs $400 USD per person per day, and part of this fee supports anti-poaching patrols and ranger salaries https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/how-gorilla-tourism-can-benefit-wildlife-and-people http://www.gorillatourism.org/. These funds help to cover the costs of park management, law enforcement, research, monitoring, education, and outreach.

• Gorilla tourism raises awareness and appreciation for gorillas. Gorilla tourism gives visitors a unique opportunity to see gorillas up close and learn about their behavior, ecology, and culture. This can foster a sense of awe and respect for these animals and inspire people to support their conservation. Gorilla tourism also educates people about the threats that gorillas face and the actions that they can take to help them. For example, visitors are encouraged to follow strict rules to minimize the risk of disease transmission and disturbance to the gorillas https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14724049.2023.2176507. They are also advised to avoid buying products made from wildlife parts or plants that harm gorilla habitats.

• Gorilla tourism supports habitat protection and restoration. Gorilla tourism creates an incentive for preserving and restoring the forests where gorillas live. These forests are not only home to gorillas but also to many other species of plants and animals that are important for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Gorilla tourism helps to prevent deforestation and degradation by providing alternative sources of income and livelihoods for local people who might otherwise depend on unsustainable activities such as logging, mining, farming, or hunting. Gorilla tourism also supports reforestation efforts by planting trees and creating buffer zones around the parks.

Gorilla Tourism Benefits for People

• Gorilla tourism creates employment opportunities. Gorilla tourism provides direct and indirect jobs for local people who work as guides, porters, rangers, drivers, cooks, cleaners, or craftspeople. These jobs help to improve their skills, income, and living standards. For example, in Uganda, more than 1,000 people are employed as porters for gorilla treks https://igcp.org/tourism/. In Rwanda, more than 400 people are employed as guides for gorilla tours https://www.awf.org/blog/mountain-gorilla-tourism-drives-economic-growth-and-conservation. In DRC, more than 200 people are employed as rangers for gorilla protection.

• Gorilla tourism supports community development. Gorilla tourism contributes to community development by sharing a portion of the tourist fees with local communities. These funds are used to support various projects that benefit the people and the environment, such as building schools, health centers, water systems, roads, or bridges; providing scholarships or microcredits; promoting agriculture or agroforestry; or supporting women's empowerment or cultural preservation. For example, in Uganda, more than $3 million USD have been distributed to over 600 community projects since 1996. In Rwanda, more than $2 million USD have been allocated to over 700 community projects since 2005. In DRC

In DRC, more than $1 million USD have been invested in over 300 community projects since 2010.

• Gorilla tourism enhances peace and security. Gorilla tourism can promote peace and security by fostering cooperation and dialogue among different stakeholders who have an interest in gorilla conservation and development. These stakeholders include governments, park authorities, conservation organizations, local communities, private sector partners, and tourists. By working together, they can address common challenges such as poaching, conflict, or disease, and find solutions that benefit everyone. For example, in DRC, gorilla tourism has helped to reduce violence and instability in the Virunga region by creating economic opportunities, building trust, and supporting reconciliation among former enemies.