Are mountain gorillas also at risk of Covid-19?

Are mountain gorillas also at risk of Covid-19? Safety of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat has sparked a lot of discussion among the concerned scientists, conservationists and the tourism fraternity in Africa after the outbreak of the Coronavirus which has spread worldwide and claimed thousands of lives.

Mountain gorillas are some of the listed most endangered species on earth by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). IUCN is an international organ in charge of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. About 98 percent of mountain gorillas’ DNA is similar to that of humans which makes them to be susceptible to human diseases. Given their status, failure to safeguard them may result into devastating impacts on their critical population in the wild.

Research from Oxford Brookes University on the threat tourists pose on the health of mountain gorillas indicates that there is a likelihood of tourists infecting these unique primates with air borne diseases like flu or cough. This follows an incident which occurred about 10 years back when mountain gorillas passed on due to air borne diseases which is attributed to have resulted from a tourist. Mountain gorillas are prone to some respiratory illness which affects humans and according to World Wide Fund for Nature; a common cold can make a gorilla to die. This is why tourists on gorilla trekking tour are not usually allowed to have a close encounter with the rare mountain gorillas.

Where to see mountain gorillas in Africa

Tracking to see mountain gorillas in Africa is only possible in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the 2 only gorilla parks to visit to view mountain gorillas.

In the DR Congo, a section of mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga National Park. This gorilla park lies in the Eastern side of DR Congo and unlike Uganda; DR Congo has suspended mountain gorilla trekking tours in the Virunga National Park till 1^st June 2020. The move was welcomed by conservationists in the area as there is need for any possible effort to ensure these rare apes are safeguarded in their natural habitat.

Rwanda has also temporarily closed Volcanoes National Park amidst outbreak of COVID-19 so as to protect mountain gorillas and other endangered species. Volcanoes National Park is one of the premier gorilla parks in Africa where gorilla tracking is conducted.

A study conducted by Ugandan conservationist Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka together with Conservation Through Public Health and Ohio University indicated that measures put in place to ensure safety of mountain gorillas from humans aren’t practically effective. The safety measure of keeping a distance of 7 meters away from mountain gorillas is often broken by trekkers on Uganda gorilla tracking safari or Rwanda safari. Currently, fewer than 1063 mountain gorillas still live on earth and they are only in Africa.

Is it possible to track mountain gorillas during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Unlike Rwanda and the DRC which have banned visits to their gorilla parks, it is possible to track mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. However, Uganda through Uganda Tourism Board has banned tourists from some affected countries with COVID 19 from visiting Uganda and they include UK, USA, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Belgium, China, Sweden, Austria, Malaysia, Spain, Netherlands, San Marino, France and Norway.

Recommendations by UTB to Uganda travel trade

All tour operators, travel agencies as well as hospitality facilities should avail hand washing facilities with soap at their premises and on-board travel vehicles and vessels.
Agencies, tour operators and accommodation facilities are encouraged to have recommended facemasks (N95) for their visitors.
Staff should be educated and visitors should also be directed on control measures to limit contracting the Covid-19.
Other measures to observe include not to handshake, always wash your hands with soap, regular cleaning and disinfecting the frequently touched objects and surfaces like door handles.
For any suspected persons with COVID-19, PLEASE report through the toll-free number; 0800203033 or 0800100066.