Kampala — UGANDA Tourism Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority are extending their partnership to further the Friend a Gorilla campaign at this year's World Travel Markets Exhibition in London.

Edwin Muzahura, the marketing and public relations manager, said on Thursday the global publicity given to the campaign made it necessary to continue publicising it until the end of the year.

About 13 tour companies have confirmed participation in the London exhibition to be held from November 9 to 11, he said.

The Ugandan stand at the exhibition will have three computers for visitors to log onto friendagorilla.org and befriend a gorilla, Muzahura added.

In a related story, the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Moses Mapesa, said the campaign was due to the global demand for conservation tourism and promotion of primate tourism.

"Strategically placed cameras in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest will stream video footage of gorillas to audiences worldwide," he said.

340 mountain gorillas of the 720 remaining in the world are found in Bwindi impenetrable forest. They share 98.4% of their genetic material with humans.