RDB intensifies Gorilla monitoring over conflict in DRC Congo

A wild mountain gorilla feeding away in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

KIGALI - Following the recent insurgency in DRC near the Rwanda/Congo border, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has embarked on an exercise to closely monitor the primates.

According to Rica Rwigamba, who is in charge of tourism at RDB, the gorillas succumbed to extreme cold weather in the Virunga Massif in the Northern Province.

“There is high mortality rate of babies (Gorillas) between 1 to 3 years. But, we have increased close monitoring by the wardens who will report any abnormality or sign of illness so that our veterinary doctors treat them immediately,” Rwigamba said.

Rwigamba, however, said that tourism activities have not been affected by the conflict in DRC. 

“Our aim is to increase the number of gorillas and to conserve them; what happened was unusual, but it was a loss in terms of conservation,” she said.

Rwanda tourism ‘not affected by DRC conflict

the endagered mountain gorilla in Rwanda's Virunga National Park

The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has not hindered tourism sector as mountain gorillas remain secure in Virunga National Park, their habitat.

The assurance was made by Rica Rwigamba, the head of tourism and conservation in Rwanda Development Board (RDB), reacting to reports that the conflict that has pitted the DRC armed forces against mutineers commonly known as M23 could harm the world’s rare species.

“Gorillas on the Rwandan side are regularly monitored on a daily basis and are all fine. We have put joint patrols on hold and are following up the situation with our counterparts in DRC,” she said.
The Virunga habitat is a trans-boundary park that cuts across Rwanda, DRC and Uganda, and it’s the only home for the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population.

“The tourism sector in Rwanda is doing well; it’s business as usual,”

Dr Jean Felix Kinani, a wildlife veterinary officer in the Virunga observed that tourism had been stopped in neighbouring Congo since M23 militias have moved their bases in the area.

“Tourism has been stopped in Congo; there are no tourists going there…however, on our part of the park, we are safe and gorillas are secure,” Kinani said

But he added: “There are groups of Congolese rangers who visited the areas and they informed us that gorillas are not harmed despite the rebels being in the forests.”

He however added that the Congolese army sometimes uses military helicopters while fighting which he said was scaring the gorillas, sending them in disarray.

Recently, Cai Tjeenk Willink, who is in charge of tourism and development at Virunga on the Congolese part said that the conflict had hampered their operations.

“We cannot do our job in the area until the war has stopped,” he disclosed to international media.

Last year, Rwanda played host to over 908,000 tourists from all over the world and the industry earned $252 million according to statists from Rwanda Development Board.

Gorillas only last year, generated $9.6 million.

 Fresh clashes between the DRC’s military and a group of mutineers calling themselves March 23 Movement (M23), erupted in mid May as tens of thousands of residents fled to Rwanda and Uganda.

The mutineers accuse the Kinshasa leadership of failing to adhere to a 2009 peace agreement and decided to breakaway after three years.

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Uganda Very Safe for Tourists Despite Fighting in Nearby Congo

By Ivan Kabenge
www.gorillasandwildlifesafaris.com

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)  has come out to assure tourists that the border national parks in western Uganda are safe despite ongoing fighting in neighbouring DR Congo.

There has been growing speculation about the safety of tourists visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Lillian Nsubuga, the UWA Public Relations Manager said Wednesday that UWA is working with security agencies and UPDF to maintain land, air and marine surveillance of the parks and borders to ensure safety of visitors.

A mountain Gorilla in Uganda

Also, the wildlife body is working with Rwanda under the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) to protect the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif where clashes have occurred.

"This reassurance is aimed at assuring tourists that are planning to visit Uganda's parks that they have nothing to worry about their safety, and that they do not need to cancel their trips," Nsubuga said in a statement.

Tourism is currently Uganda's second highest foreign exchange earner, having brought in US$800m last year. Also, last year, Uganda was voted the best tourism destination for 2012 by the Lonely Planet.

Tourist lodges and guest houses in western Uganda areas which border with the restive eastern DRC, have recently reported cancellations or postponements of visits by tourists.

However, other lodges such as Mweya Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Silverback Lodge in Bwindi, reported not being affected and the reservations had been honoured.

"UWA calls on the public especially communities neighouring the national parks to help in strengthening the security in their areas by reporting any suspicious people or activities in their vicinity," Nsubuga said.

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For more information about tours and safaris to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, visit https://www.gorillasandwildlifesafaris.com/ or email info@gorillasandwildlifesafaris.com/