Is Gorilla Trekking Safe And Ethical?

While trekking with gorillas is usually risk-free, it is important to know what to expect from the creatures and take all necessary safety measures. The gorillas seen on treks are accustomed to seeing humans, so they pose no threat to the guides and visitors that visit. Every trek is guided by an experienced individual who knows the ins and outs of the gorillas and how to keep everyone on the journey safe. Because gorillas can get aggressive if they feel threatened or provoked, it is crucial that trekkers keep their distance, which these guides make sure hikers do.

Despite their docile and powerful nature, gorillas can turn violent when they sense danger to their family or territory. Nevertheless, such occurrences are unusual and usually manifest when the creatures sense being cornered or startled. Keep in mind that gorillas would much rather show their authority than resort to physical force when resolving conflicts. Visitors may ensure a safe and enjoyable experience by being mindful of their space and behaviour, and by remaining calm and non-threatening.

Is Gorilla Trekking Ethical?

Today, the planet is home to a little more than a thousand mountain gorillas.

Back in 1993, when Bwindi Impenetrable National Park initially welcomed visitors, there was just one gorilla family residing in the region. There are now nineteen gorilla families in the jungle, up from eight before.

There probably wouldn’t be any wild gorillas left if tourists couldn’t go on gorilla treks in Uganda. They went from being considered severely endangered to endangered in 2018. Thanks to the thousands of people who visit each year, they are able to accomplish this remarkable feat.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority sells permits for gorilla trekking. You can spend an hour with the gorillas with the regular permit, and most of the money goes towards conservation efforts; a tiny portion goes to the local community.

Buying a permit is a great way to show your support for gorilla conservation efforts, which in turn safeguard these amazing animals from poachers and fund important research.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the connection between gorilla trekking and conservation activities became glaringly obvious. Poaching rose during the year due to the park’s closure and the subsequent drop in tourist numbers. In June, a silverback named Rafiki, who was 25 years old and the leader of a group of seventeen, vanished. Confirmation that he had been murdered by a poacher came a day after his corpse was found.

The preservation of these amazing creatures is being propelled forward by the tourism industry. However, conservation always takes precedence over business, so there are regulations in place to cap daily visitor numbers and practices to follow when trekking to avoid stressing out the gorillas or harming their habitat.

All of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi had been through a habituation stage, during which they were gradually introduced to people until they lost their fear and aggression.

The Rules Put in Place

Your guide will give you a thorough rundown of everything you need to know before your gorilla expedition. During the briefing, your guide will go over all the regulations that you need to adhere to. A few examples are:

To avoid infecting the gorillas with diseases, you must maintain a distance of 7 meters at all times.

  • Ignore the trek if you’re sick.
  • Never feed or drink near a gorilla family.
  • Make sure the gorillas don’t eat
  • Avoid dropping any trash by being cautious.
  • The gorillas are being touched.
  • If you want to keep them from charging at you, glance away from their eyes because that could be seen as a challenge.
  • Keep your head down, crouch down gently, and remain silent if gorillas charge.
  • Stay quiet and not make a racket.
  • Avoid buying trinkets that contain items derived from endangered species.
  • No using flash photos because it can frighten them.
  • Always pay attention to what your guide says.