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Plans to boost gorilla tourism in Uganda
2 Nov 2007
Uganda's Wildlife Authority is planning to deliver a boost to the country's tourism industry by preparing more gorillas for contact with humans.
There are currently four social groups of six to seven mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with plans for two more, Reuters reports.
The animals have to be accustomed to human presence before they are exposed to tourists to ensure that they do not run away or lash out.
Sam Mwanda, deputy director of the Wildlife Authority, confirmed that two new groups will be prepared for human contact but said the acclimatisation procedure can be a slow process.
'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,' he said.
Tourism and coffee are Rwanda's biggest industries and thousands of people travel to the country every year to see mountain gorillas in their natural environment.
Revenue from the travel industry helps fund conservation efforts for the animals, which are one of the world's most endangered species.
If you'd like to see this destination for yourself, use Opodo's travel search engine to find flights, hotels, holidays and car hire worldwide.
© Adfero Ltd
There are currently four social groups of six to seven mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with plans for two more, Reuters reports.
The animals have to be accustomed to human presence before they are exposed to tourists to ensure that they do not run away or lash out.
Sam Mwanda, deputy director of the Wildlife Authority, confirmed that two new groups will be prepared for human contact but said the acclimatisation procedure can be a slow process.
'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,' he said.
Tourism and coffee are Rwanda's biggest industries and thousands of people travel to the country every year to see mountain gorillas in their natural environment.
Revenue from the travel industry helps fund conservation efforts for the animals, which are one of the world's most endangered species.
If you'd like to see this destination for yourself, use Opodo's travel search engine to find flights, hotels, holidays and car hire worldwide.
© Adfero Ltd
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