The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) is carrying out a population census of the endangered mountain gorillas in the Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks to establish their actual number for proper conservation plans.
The IGCP country representative in Uganda, Mr Stephen Asuma, said the census started this month and is expected to end by October 20. The census was last held in 2006 where only 340 gorillas were counted and registered and the total world gorilla population then was 786.
"We expect the numbers in Uganda to have increased by 26 per cent as projected in the 2006 population census. Research has established that a lot of exposure of the mountain gorillas to human beings can lead to their extinction since they have a poor immunity system that easily contracts human diseases," Mr Asuma said.
He added that there was need for funding from the Ugandan government for proper and timely advertising of the mountain gorilla tourism for more awareness locally and internationally to raise a lot of foreign exchange. Tourists currently pay $500 (Shs1.4m)to watch a mountain gorilla per hour in Uganda.
Comments Post a comment
Several corrections to this article should be noted. At this time we cannot anticipate the results of the census in Bwindi that is currently being carried out there. We will only know once all the data and genetic samples are analyzed, which will be complete toward the end of 2012. There are two populations of mountain gorillas in the world, one in the Virunga Massif and one in Bwindi. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is part of the Virunga Massif, was included in the mountain gorilla census conducted there in 2010. For correct information about the ongoing census in Bwindi, please go to http://www.igcp.org/mountain-gorillas-in-bwindi-uganda-and-sarambwe-drc-to- be-counted-in-census/ or write to info@igcp.org. As noted on our website, this census is being carried out by many organizations and institutions, including the Uganda Wildlife Authority.