Gorilla fight leaves female dead

Mountain gorillas can only be found in Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo. Sadly they are critically endangered and require an army of park rangers, tourists and the support of the local community in order to survive.

It is therefore particularly sad to hear about the death of a senior adult female called Samehe because any gorilla loss is significant. Located in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Samehe passed away on March 26^th. She was believed to be 19 years old and was a mother of two.

The cause of death has been attributed to deep bodily wounds which were sustained in fights with family members. The wounds from fighting were so bad that the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP) spent nearly two months treating her injuries which included a particularly bad head wound which left her skull exposed to the elements.

The reason for the fighting amongst her own family was because Samehe had just started mating again. Unfortunately this led to her being surrounded and attacked by a group of six males for four days. The park rangers have described this behaviour as highly unusual.

Having treated Samehe’s head wound with stitches and antibiotics the team did see an improvement in her condition, however it was not long before she was weak again and she began to isolate herself from her family and humans by hiding in thickets and small caves.

Samehe further worsened her situation by removing the skin stitched up by the vet team. Samehe suffered a vicious attack which would no doubt have left her traumatised, the impact of which can be calculated. However as the mountain gorilla is so closely related to us we can assume that the physiological emotional pain must have been extreme.

Uganda safaris, which offer incredible luxury safari lodges, show just how far the industry has developed and how activities such as gorilla trekking are improving the life of local people and the gorillas. The death of Samehe will have been a deeply upsetting experience for the local community, the park rangers and anyone who cares for these amazing creatures.

R.I.P Samehe (1992 – 2011)

Gorilla numbers increase in the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of Congo the latest research has shown that the Eastern lowland gorilla numbers have increased since the last time gorilla numbers were counted.

The survey was conducted in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park and found 181 Eastern lowland gorillas were living there. The previous research into gorilla numbers in the area was carried out in 2004 and found 168 individual gorillas.

Any increase in gorilla numbers is fantastic news, but despite this the number of Eastern lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas are still low enough for them to be highly endangered. Significant progress has been made in recent years which indicates that with the right strategy gorillas numbers can be restored

However this journey will be long and will suffer setbacks from poachers and mining companies wishing to exploit the land for natural resources. Thankfully east African governments have buckled under the pressure from big business. Part of this is thanks to a growing tourism sector which includes luxury safaris, eco-tourism and gorilla safari holidays.

Furthermore in neighbouring countries ecotourism is also a growing industry and is providing fantastic opportunities for local people. For example Uganda safaris have grown so well that communities are growing increasingly attached and dependent on the industry. The realization that protecting the gorillas and their habitat will give people a future is increasingly accepted and embedded.

We can only hope that the trend continues and that Eastern lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and the Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park continue to grow in numbers. This will only help the gorilla safari industry which in turn will improve the life of local communities and those countries in general.

After a bloody decade which saw horrific civil and tribal war, East African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda have a future, and at its hear in the Eastern lowland gorilla and the mountain gorilla.

Coltan mining threatens mountain gorillas

The mountain gorillas found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda are incredibly vulnerable animals. The preservation of their natural habitat is the most important factor in protecting the species because without it their extinction is guaranteed.

The vast majority of their natural habitat has been chopped down and made into charcoal or turned into farmland or dug up and mined. Mining is one the biggest industries on the planet and typically it focuses on the precious metals and energy sector such as natural gas, coal and crude oil.

However the mountain gorillas of east Africa have been facing a form of mining that has little if anything to do with energy production. In highly developed countries electronics form a big part of everyday life. We have mobile phones, DVD players, games consoles and a lot of computers.

These electronic goods all have something in common. They all contain coltan, which is a black metallic mineral from which the element niobium and tantalum is made. It is from these minerals that electronic capacitors are created and are then finding their way into just about every electronic device used today.

Sadly along with other human activity in the region, coltan mining has had a devastating impact on the mountain gorilla population. The mining process pollutes lakes and rivers and isolated miners will often hunt gorillas for their meat.

Gorilla trekking and gorilla safaris have become a vital industry to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. It has created job opportunities, sustainable income and preserves the gorilla’s natural habitat.

Luxury safari lodges in the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda are attracting wealthy eco-tourists which are a significantly growing market and represents a great opportunity for east African mountain gorillas.

At one time it seemed as though coltan mining would rip the ground from underneath the gorilla’s feet but other countries around the world have been increasing the coltan mining and new coltan mines have been identifies in countries such as Venezuela, Columbia, Brazil, Thailand, Egypt and others.

Sadly though the mining process, wherever it is, will have an impact on local habitats and wildlife. Tin mining and smelting does produce coltan as a bi-product so this is a much greener option which needs to be utilised more often.

Mountain gorillas at risk from human virus

Recent research conducted in the US and Africa has showed that gorillas can be infected by humans. In fact a virus called metapneumovirus has infected several gorillas and is responsible for two gorilla deaths in 2009.

Mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo have been in relative close contact with humans for a number of years. The local population around Virunga National park have an intimate knowledge of these spectacular and powerful creatures.

However, human contact from the local population is not all. Rwanda safaris and Uganda Safaris give tourists the opportunity to get close to the gorillas for only a short period of time. Sadly it seems that this enough to cause damage to the local mountain gorilla population.

Eco-tourism is extremely important to the people of Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and the Congo. If offers long term sustainability for the local population and maintains the gorillas natural habitat. Jobs are created and income is generated.

In order to protect the gorillas the park rangers play a crucial role, but if human contact is threatening the gorillas then further protective measure must be taken. For example the Virunga National Park might require tourists to have a health check and produce a valid doctor’s note to enter the park or they can wear medical masks in order to prevent airborne diseases.

What this essentially highlights is just how delicate and fragile the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo really are. A male silverback can grow to nearly two meters in height and weigh in at over 500 lb, yet a microscopic virus can kill it with ease.

The loss of any mountain gorilla is utterly devastating to the local communities. They are so important, precious and irreplaceable that losing a gorilla is much more than a monetary issue. A strong bond has been forged with the gorillas and any loss is met with real sadness and deep emotion.

Poachers continue to threaten gorillas

Gorilla safari holidays are a key tool in the preservation of our very close relatives. Sadly though the threat posed by poaching is still very serious. The latest research shows that in the Republic of Congo goes relatively unchecked resulting in ‘bush meat’ for sale in food markets in Pointe Noire.

Very recently the Endangered Species International (ESI) organisation conducted several field investigations into the level of poaching in the country. The information gathered from these investigations has demonstrated that poaching is still a major threat to the survival of mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas.

It is particularly upsetting because in the markets of places like Pointe Noire you can find gorilla hands, feet and skulls somehow being sold as ornaments. Sadly this news is not new. In 2009 ESI investigated the bush meat trade in the Republic of Congo and found that the situation was much the same as it is today.

Gorillas are being attacked from virtually every direction. Poachers hunt them for bush meat or for trophies while timber and charcoal companies want to destroy their natural habitat. The natural habitat is just as important as the gorillas because without their natural habitat gorillas in the wild are doomed.

This is why conservation projects such as the briquette fuel made up of recycled material, are so important. This project alone has created an extra 2500 permanent and sustainable jobs and 50,000 people now use these biomass briquettes, which have saved 2.9 million kilos of wood which might have been used as fuel.

Rwanda safaris and Uganda Safaris which offer gorilla trekking give the gorillas and the local people sustainable income and a brighter future. Eco-tourism is a rapidly growing market which Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania are in the perfect position to take full advantage of this.

Arguably the most important position for the security of the gorillas is the park ranger. They protect something incredibly precious and valuable by putting their lives at risk every day. They also have excellent gorilla tracking skills and will work with gorilla safari companies such as Volcanoes Safaris to help eco-tourists get close to these magnificent creatures.

Oil exploration rejected in the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to roughly 200 of the remaining 700 mountain gorillas. It is therefore a relief to hear that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has rejected a bid from the UK oil company, Soco International, to search for oil in the Virunga National Park.

Numerous environmental groups have been warning the Congo government that oil exploration in Virunga National Park would seriously damage the delicate and precious eco-system which exists there. The gorillas there have already been squeezed into a small space and preserving what little natural habitat they have left is essential for the gorillas and the people of the Congo.

The Virunga National Park is on the UN’s list of World Heritage sites in danger. The spectacular bio-diversity found in the Congo is among the finest in the world and also offers the people of the Congo a future, without destroying their most important assets, the mountain gorilla.

The Congo has seen exceptional tragedies in recent years. There has been civil war, widespread poaching and logging, which together nearly wiped out the mountain gorillas. Today though, the Virunga National Park is a beacon for eco-tourism, gorilla trekking and gorilla safari holidays. Tourism generated $200 million with 666,000 visitors in 2010, which was a 14% increase on the previous year.

The Congo and Virunga National Park is extremely rich in natural resources, be it oil, natural gas or precious metals. It is therefore easy to see why mining companies around the world want to explore the area.

However the biggest natural resource the people of the Congo have are the mountain gorillas. They offer people a sustainable future in an incredible natural environment. Eco-tourism is a growing market and countries around the world that are home to outstanding wildlife and natural habitats are starting to understand just how much potential it offers.

Rwanda makes landmark environmental pledge

Environmental groups have long campaigned for greater protection of endangered species and wild habitats. For many years now they have been putting pressure on governments to increase their use of green energy and reducing emissions.

Often the major economies in the world have fallen short in the eyes of environmental groups but Rwanda has managed to impress them by announcing that sustaining its environment is a national priority. This demonstrates that Rwandan wildlife is as important as any other matter when it comes to the future and prosperity of the Rwandan people.

Rwanda can offer tourists a unique African safari, which is a very important industry. This is because it generates income for so many people, it also ensures the gorilla’s habitat is maintained and the gorillas themselves are protected. Eco-tourism and luxury safaris are growing industries and Rwanda has the potential to truly benefit from an industry already worth hundreds of millions and is forecast to grow further.

After the devastating civil war of 1990’s no country deserves to progress more than Rwanda. In addition to this the gorilla’s habitat has been systematically destroyed for either farming land or for firewood. This has left the gorillas with a severe shortage of much needed space in the jungle. In fact 90% of the Gishwati rainforest, which is home to chimpanzees, has been destroyed.

The challenge faced by the Rwandan government is how to manage the balance between population growth and natural resources. The target for Rwanda is to achieve a country wide reversal of the current degradation of soil, land, water, and forest resources by the year 2035.

This effort is more than about planting trees. It is about resorting water systems, improving the quality of the soil an improving the quality of life for the people of Rwanda. Hopefully Rwanda will achieve success and this will inspire other countries.

Mountain gorillas worth millions

Uganda safari lodges and Rwanda safari lodges have become the most important tourism features of their respective countries. For the people of Rwanda and Uganda, gorilla safaris have become hugely important as they provide wealth for their villages whilst maintaining the rainforest and further clamping down on illegal poaching.

Calculating the value of gorilla safaris and eco-tourism is not a straightforward exercise. However as eco-tourism grows in places such as Rwanda and Uganda it has become important to understand the value in order to further grow the industry.

The President of Rwanda recently stated in his State-of-the-Nation speech that in 2010 the country earned $200 million with 666,000 tourists visiting. This was a 14% increase on the previous year and the biggest attraction were the mountain gorillas found in the Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park. This helped contribute to Rwanda’s economy growing by 7.4%.

The luxury safari lodges which are also highly eco-friendly give tourists the opportunity to see spectacular wildlife without damaging their environment. Eco-tourism offers a sustainable solution to people who live in the villages around Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park.

Income from the gorilla safari holidays is going to make a big difference to people and their quality of life. The change being seen in Rwanda and Uganda is an incredible story of success and hope in a part of the world which saw terrible civil war and genocide.

The gorillas managed to survive the civil war and their number have increased in recent years but there are still only approximately 800 mountain gorillas left in the wild and captivity. If the recent success is continues the gorilla population will grow, ensuring that the eco-tourism industry in Rwanda and Uganda stays alive.

The hope is that more eco-friendly safari lodges can be built which will enable more tourists to come and visit. Managing the rate of development is an important task because the industry must be sustained which means not outgrowing itself. Steady progress is the key to success with the gorillas that are worth millions.

Luxury safaris with a difference

When people think of a typical safari the image which will enter their head is of lions, zebras, cheetahs, hippos and elephants. Of course these are are just some of the animals which can be found on an African safari, but the general idea is that you get into a well protected 4×4 and head out into game reserves to observe wildlife.

The biggest country for these types of safaris is South Africa. Kruger National Park is one the biggest in the world and is home to some fantastic wildlife. Unfortunately Kruger National Park is somewhat a victim of its own success. The animal populations are monitored quite strictly in order to ensure over-crowding does not happen. Even though there is clear sense to this practice it gives the park an artificial characteristic.

As peoples interest in nature and our environment has improved in recent years it has given rise to all sorts of eco-holidays, eco-tourism and even eco-safaris around the world.  As the industry has grown all over the world, people who live in important wildlife areas realise that there is more value in them keeping nature in tact. Once a forest is cut down it can never be fully restored. Eco-tourism gives people and nature a future.

A new generation of eco-tourists are growing up looking for that special trip. More than ever young tourists want to get of the beaten track to find something truly amazing. The idea of an African safari appeals to many but the idea of Kruger might not. Thankfully there is a much better alternative which not only helps protect one the most important animals alive today, but also makes a huge difference to the local communities.

Volcanoes Safaris specialise in gorilla safaris. Their Uganda safaris, Rwanda safaris and Tanzania safaris give people the opportunity to experience something truly phenomenal. Despite nearly being hunted to extinction, the mountain gorillas live on and are relatively used to seeing humans. This gives tourists the chance to go gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. With the helps of expert trackers you are given a chance to sit and spend an hour or so with them.

These East African safaris have made an incredible difference to the people of Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. For the villagers who live at the base of the dormant volcanoes, the gorilla safaris have given them hope and a real opportunity to a bright future.

Chimpanzee’s and gorilla’s are our two closest relatives which is why it is essential they survive, for if man wipes out its very own cousins, what does that say about mankind and how will we explain it to our children? With so many creatures and habitats threatened around the world it is inevitable that some or many will be lost, but to lose chimps and gorillas, our closest relative would be unforgivable.

Incredible gorilla reunion

One of the most popular videos on the internet is of the reunion between John Rendall, Acer Berg and a lion. And there is good reason for this as the story is wonderful. In 1969 the two men saw a lion cub on sale in Harrods!!! Seeing it in a cramped cage they decided it would be better at home with them.

They dedicated their lives to ensuring the lion was raised in a happy environment which formed an incredibly strong bond. Christian the lion was clearly very clever but also very gentle. As with most animals, Christian the lion grew and eventually it was clear that the only solution was to reintroduce him into the wild. They travelled to Africa and successfully released Chrisitian into the wild.

One year later they wanted to visit him but were quickly informed that he now had his own pride and was a wild animal which would not remember them. They begged to differ and went to the reserve to try and find him. After many hours they eventually found him. To see what happened once they found him click here!

When it comes to animals being reunited with humans, that is hard to beat. However it is not without competition. There is no doubting the majesty and power of a lion but if you compare them to a gorilla there is no doubting that we share more with the latter.

Gorillas are exceptionally intelligent, family orientated, social and perhaps most of all emotional. It is the clear presence of deep emotions and feelings which makes the behaviour and gaze of a gorilla so captivating.

Reintroducing gorillas into the wild is a difficult challenge. It is expensive and by no means guarantees success. Furthermore, not being raised in the wild strips them of so much knowledge which can only be gained from living in their natural habitat. Having said that, the endeavours of those who do try and succeed in this areas deserve the very highest possible praise.

One such man is Damian Aspinall who runs the John Aspinall Foundation with the goal to breed gorillas and return them to the wild.  So far Damian Aspinall’s work for the John Aspinall Foundation has released 51 gorillas to secure areas in Africa.

It was during one of Damian Aspinall’s trips to africa that a video to rival Christian the lion was recorded. The story is much like Christian the lion. A baby gorilla raised by humans and forms an incredibly strong bond with him. Damian Aspinall travels to Africa to see how the gorillas are getting on.

Eventually Aspinall catchs a glimpse of his old friend and having not seem him for five years they share the most incredible reunion. This is a clip which simply must be seen. Click here to watch the video.