Who is behind the Conservation of Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda

The conservation of critically endangered mountain gorillas has always been a combined effort of the Government of Rwanda, local community members surrounding the National Parks and most importantly Non-Governmental Organizations (International Wildlife Organizations). It is therefore worth acknowledging that it is because of their efforts that the Mountain gorillas are what they are today. There are currently 880 mountain gorillas distributed within only three countries that include Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and these Organizations have contributed to financial assistance, the treatment of the Mountain gorillas-through the gorilla doctors and have improved to the livelihoods of the local community members. The following are the Wildlife Organizations that have made remarkable contribution to the Conservation of the Mountain gorillas, and are worth acknowledging;

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International

Dian Fossey

What came to be known as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International started with a passionate woman-Dian Fossey who dedicated over 18 years of her life to save the Mountain gorillas in the Forest. Presently, the Organization leads the World in the conservation and studying of the Mountain gorillas in their Natural Habitats, while at the same time helping/supporting local communities to flourish and build their Conservation capabilities. Their main activities include daily protection of the Mountain gorillas, Scientific Research, educating Conservationists, helping local Community members and Monitoring/treating of the Mountain gorillas (through employing several Gorilla Doctors). The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International was originally founded in 1978 by Dian Fossey as “The Digit Fund”, and the organization has since expanded to assimilate a holistic and united approach, which embraces close partnership with the Local Communities in addition to Partners from all over the Globe. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International believes that the Value of their work is even more far reaching in that when the Mountain gorillas are conserved, so are their crucial forest Habitats, which are the significant Ecosystems that support the Earth and all the life that exists in it.

The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

The main aim of the International Gorilla Conservation Programme-IGCP is to make sure that the Mountain Gorillas and their Natural Afro-montane Forest Habitats in Volcanoes National Park are conserved and protected. This Organization doesn’t only work within Rwanda but extends to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This Organization was founded in 1991 as a partnership Programme, and is presently composed of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Fauna and Flora International (FFI). Just like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the IGCP mainly conserves the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas and their Natural Habitats through partnering with the main stakeholders in addition to remarkable providing to the Sustainable Livelihood Development.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Through the African Great Apes Programme, the WWF is vigorously working to conserve/protect all the four sub-species of Gorillas through increasing support for Gorilla Conservation among both Local and International Communities, improving the effectiveness of Protected Areas (where the gorillas are found) and bringing to an end the illegal trade in gorilla products. Nevertheless, the conservation programmes by WWF not only work to conserve the Gorillas themselves but also contribute to the protection of other wildlife and plant species found within the Gorilla Habitats. The Organization collaborates with several partners in the different Gorilla range countries to both Conservation of gorilla habitats and populations, in addition to improving the quality of life of the local communities.

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)

The African Wildlife Fund collaborates with local community members to help both the Mountain gorillas and the communities themselves. Through collaborations with the Private Investors/operators and Communities, the AWF has designed and constructed several Safari Lodges that benefit the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda alike, and their respective local communities. Some of the projects-the Sabinyo Silverback Lodge (Luxury) situated in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes and the Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (also luxury), found outside the Ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are some of the Community-managed Safari Lodges that benefit the Local Community members who share their backyard with the Mountain gorillas by bringing in incomes/revenues through Tourism Development. AWF’s efforts continue to help to improve community livelihood strategies that contribute to Conservation.

In conclusion, several non-governmental have contributed to the Conservation of the Mountain gorillas to where they are today and these Organizations include the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP).