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Importance of Gorilla Tours in Rwanda
Mountain Gorillas are the largest living primates and the closest living relatives to humans. They are gentle vegetarians who live in groups or bands. The dominant male, often identified by a patch of silver hair on his back, leads the group, usually a harem of three to four females and their offspring. Gorillas can live for 40-50 years. Juvenile males under 12 years of age are referred to as blackbacks. Silverbacks generally acquire solitary females to make their groups. These animals face the constant threat of poaching, traps set out by poachers often catch gorillas in the crossfire. Of more frequent occurrence is the snaring for antelope, duiker, and bush pig which often results in death or serious injury of the gorilla. These animals are also susceptible to human disease and illness. Because the gorilla is so similar to humans, it can catch the same diseases, with much deadlier effects. The spreading of diseases from humans to gorillas has been recorded as a leading cause of death in some gorilla species. Throughout history, gorillas have become refugees to humans in having their habitats destroyed by human settlements, agriculture and logging. With increased civil conflicts and violence in central and east Africa, refugees and soldiers often move into protected areas such as national parks to escape poverty and violence. These invaders and settlers have had devastating effects on protected areas and the wildlife within them as refugees seek to feed their families and soldiers poach animals for profit and sustenance. All of these threats to the gorillas lead to an urgent need for long-term income from tourism to guarantee the survival of the gorillas and their protection in the park. This serves as the backbone of this paper, showing how tourism has been used to benefit the gorilla and the local community through both direct and indirect means.