Thursday, September 13, 2012
Will the Congo War/ Fighters Care About the Mountain Gorillas?
With the fighting in eastern Congo, I fear our gorillas and wildlife in general are being put at risk.
These animals have those forests as their only home yet rebels invade them and launch wars against their governments from forests.
I urge the fighters to be mindful of the rightful inhabitants of those forests and spare the animals’ lives.
We cannot afford to lose our precious gorillas at the hands of human conflicts they know nothing about.
The poachers have done enough damage that we cannot afford having more animals dieing at the hands of political insurgents.
Kibuye
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
My Day In Company with Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas
Hidden high among the forested volcanoes of central Africa, the mountain gorilla was unknown to science until 1902, when two were first encountered by a German explorer -- and promptly killed.
It set the tone for the relationship. For much of the time since, due to deforestation and poaching, it has seemed the mountain gorilla was swiftly destined to be lost to the world again. Not long after the species’ greatest champion, the American zoologist Dian Fossey, was killed in Rwanda in 1985, there were fewer than 300 of the giant primates left in the wild.
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| the endagered mountain gorilla in Rwanda's Virunga National Park |
These days, however, while the species remains endangered, their numbers have grown to nearly 800. This is due to the efforts of conservationists such as those working in Volcanoes National Park, in northwest Rwanda, where Fossey established a research center which continues to run in her name today.
Efforts to change attitudes towards the mighty animals have seen them become an important source of income for the local economy through the tourists they bring, and turned poachers into vocal advocates for conservation.
The world’s largest mountain gorilla population, thought to number less than 500 animals, is found in a mountainous region known as the Virungas, incorporating Volcanoes, Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A second, smaller population can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in another region of Uganda.
The Karisoke Research Center, operated by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and located in Volcanoes National Park, is the world’s most important facility for studying the mountain gorilla.
Veronica Vecellio, its gorilla programme coordinator, said she developed the desire to work in her field after seeing “Gorillas in the Mist,” the 1988 film which popularized Fossey’s story.
“Studying Dian Fossey, it’s really clear how one person can really make the difference,” said Vecellio. “It’s what inspired me.”
Staff at Karisoke, which have observed the animals for more than 40 years, study the behavior of 10 groups of gorillas -- including those initially named and studied by Fossey, and their offspring.
Vecellio said the center focused on new research topics every year -- it had been able to learn, for example, that the life expectancy of a mountain gorilla was 35 years, as the animals had been under observation for their entire lifespan.
Fossey had believed in preserving the gorillas’ isolation by keeping tourists away. But today the tourism generated by the gorillas is essential to the local economy, and the organization that carries Fossey’s name is in favor of the visitors.
“It’s thanks (to) gorilla tourism that the gorillas are so well protected here in Rwanda,” said Vecellio. “I’m sure that if she was still there now, she would just appreciate the fact that thanks to the tourists, the gorilla (gets) to be alive. Before it was her keeping the gorillas alive, and now it’s the tourism.”
Fossey was found murdered in her cabin in the Virunga Mountains in 1985, and is buried in the park. Her killer has never been found.
Mountain gorillas are not frequently hunted for their meat, but can be maimed or killed by poachers leaving traps or snares for other animals. They have also been killed for their body parts to be sold to collectors.
Francois Ndungutse grew up in the area and used to hunt in the park. The former poacher says the last animal he killed was about eight years ago -- these days he urges people to protect the park’s animals as part of their livelihood.
“We used to live near this volcanic park, depending on it,” he said. “At that time, we were very poor ... we were relying on the park to get the meat.”
He said he and fellow poachers were persuaded to change their ways due to education programs from government agencies.
“In order to stop all this ... poaching, deforestation or any other illegal activities, it was a combined effort of the former Rwanda National Parks and Tourism Office and the current Rwanda Development Board (RDB),” he said.
“The RDB met us and gave us a plan of action and showed us how we can live without poaching in the parks.”
Vecellio said one of the amazing things about studying mountain gorillas was how close the primates let observers come to them, compared to other species she had studied.
“I started with western lowland gorillas, and the top distance was 50 meters to have them doing their activities,” she said. “But here you can approach a gorilla very close, and they ignore your presence ... you can be there and just be a natural part of the forest and collect your data.”
CNN
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Rwanda tourism ‘not affected by DRC conflict
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| the endagered mountain gorilla in Rwanda's Virunga National Park |
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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Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Uganda Mountain Gorilla family Visits Bwindi Lodge
A mountain Gorilla Family all of a sudden just decided to visit Bwindi Lodge, sending all visitors into scampers! Here are some of the photos we managed to take from the scene.
Just remember, Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris Uganda still beats anyone's record in offering the lowest cost gorilla tracking and wildlife safaris. Enjoy!!
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| Mountain Gorillas entering the compound at Bwindi Lodge - www.gorillasandwildlifesafaris.com |
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| Mountain Gorillas from Bwindi enjoying the compound of Bwindi Lodge, in Buhoma. |
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| A silverback mountain Gorilla walking back to Bwindi behind the gorilla family - www.gorillasandwildlifesafaris.com |
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Saturday, September 8, 2012
Foreign currency exchange, Using credit cards, Bargaining/ Shopping in Uganda
What is the Currency?
The Ugandan Shilling. This cannot be purchased outside the country.
How do I Exchange Cash?
US Dollars, UK Pounds and Euros are accepted by UWA for gorillas/ chimp tracking permits and park entry fees. Many larger hotels will also accept US Dollars and Euros – though you should check in advance.
Note: All US dollars notes must be printed post-2003, and should not be damaged in any way. Higher exchange rates are given on larger value notes ($50 and $100). Banks and Forex bureaus will exchange cash, alternatively us can use ATM machines – common in the major towns. They should accept Visa Debit and Credit Cards.
Can I use Credit or Debit Cards?
Visa is more widely accepted in city hotels and stores, followed by Mastercard. Other Credit cards are unlikely to work.
Alert your bank before using you card abroad to avoid it being blocked.
Can I bargain When Shopping
Prices are fixed in shops, but food and craft markets will be more flexible. You stand a better chance of getting a reduced price if you purchase several items from the same seller.
Prices are generally very low – so do consider if what you are asking for is fair.
Agree on charges for minibuses (matatus) or motorbike taxis (boda-bodas) with your driver before hiring.
Americans can use Bank of America Debit Cards at Barclay and pay no fees, you can withdraw at most banks about 190 usd in shillings 500,000 shillings- at Barclays Bank take out 400,000 reinsert card and another 400,000 - 350 360 usd depending on exchange rate given by bank.
Do not use your card at a bar where ATM machines are showing up- you will be a target of one kind or another.
What is the Weather Like in Uganda?
Uganda enjoys a tropical climate, though the heat it tempered by the altitude, as much of the country is more than 1000m above sea level.
Rainy seasons are from March to May, and September to November.
Dry seasons are from December to February and mid- June to mid August.
Average temperatures range from about 16˚C (61˚) in the southwestern highlands to 25˚C (77˚F) in the northwest; but in the northeast, temperatures exceed 30˚C (86˚F).
Monday, September 3, 2012
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