Gorilla Tourism after Dian Fossey

Celebrating 33 years of successful Gorilla Tourism after Dian Fossey

This year, 2018 marks 33 years after the death of the mountain gorilla heroine, Dian Fossy, the American primatologist who dedicated her life to the protection of these endangered species. She was killed by the merciless people in Karisoke region in Volcanoes national park.

It is Dian Fossey’s efforts for the successful story of gorilla tourism in the Virunga conservation area. Despite Dian Fossey’s death, the people she recruited up to present continued her campaign. And since then, there has been steady increase of mountain gorilla population from time to time.

Right now the total population for mountain gorillas in Virunga massif is estimated to be over 604 and adding Bwindi national park’s population of400 gorillas, it comes to a total of over 1004 mountain gorillas surviving in the world.

53 mountain gorilla groups have been habituated in the central and eastern Africa for trekking. And among these, 41 gorilla groups live in the Virunga massif and 17 gorilla groups stay in Bwindi Impenetrable national park in Uganda.

During the Kwita Izina ceremony, Rwanda celebrated the success of Dian Fossey in saving the critically endangered mountain gorillas which were at the verge of extinction.

Mountain gorilla conservation cannot be talked about without mentioning Dian Fossey, the woman who raised awareness about the protection of these majestic primates. The life of this super woman ended in 1985 when she was murdered by unknown assassins.

Even though she was killed, her efforts were not in vain. Mountain gorilla tourism has become a success since her time. Visiting the graveyard of Dian Fossey is one of the top activities done in volcanoes national park today as visitors hike to the graveyard, to recognize and commemorate her efforts.

Karisoke research center has a number of documentaries about Dian fossey and her efforts to save mountain gorillas. And visiting this research Center grants travelers an opportunity to know more about the great Dian fossey.

The American primatologist, Dian fossey was born in 1932 and she was a conservationist known for undertaking extensive study of mountain gorilla families from 1966 up to 1985.

She actively supported conservation efforts in Rwanda to save the mountain gorillas from extinction. And also opposed poaching that was rampant during that period. During her conservation works, Dian Fossey hired some people to help her in daily gorilla protection, educational initiatives, scientific study and support to improve the lives of local communities. She was killed in 1985 in her camp in Rwanda and her murder was linked to her conservation efforts.

In spite of the success, gorilla tourism in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo is still hindered by several factors some of which have scared away visitors. For instance,civil conflicts plus kidnaps and killing of park rangers in virunga national park of Congo. Due to the civil conflicts in Congo, the gorilla safaris in Virunga national park have been stopped until 2019 in order to create time for investigations.

Unlawful hunting of mountain gorillas is still a threat in the parks that host them. It is practiced by the local people who trap to catch young gorillas and other animals in parks for wild meat.

Communicable diseases have disrupted the increase of mountain gorillas and research shows that most gorillas lose their lives at a young age.

If it wasn’t the efforts of Dian fossey, mountain gorillas would likely be extinct today. Dian fossey created Dian Fossey Fund to pay for anti-poaching patrols that helped to stop poaching and unlawful hunting in Virunga national park and volcanoes national park areas. Still this fund aimed at saving the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega national park to complement mountain gorillas.

The establishment of veterinary care, community support projects, and park guards among others have also led to the survival of gorillas and the increase in their population.

The American primatologist Dian Fossey deserves to be celebrated due to her tireless efforts to conserve mountain gorillas in the Virunga conservation area. Trekking mountain gorillas is the most and enjoyable activity experienced in the Virunga massif and no traveler should miss to experience during an African safari.