Year of the Gorilla: Using Ecotourism to Beat the Bushmeat Trade

With bushmeat trade on the rise and gorillas the decline, there's never been a better time to make the trek to Africa to check out these wild yet humanlike beasts for yourself. Let's face it, in a few more years, you may not have the chance.

An undercover investigation conducted by Endangered Species International recently revealed that four percent of the gorilla population in Kouilou, a region of the Republic of Congo, is being poached each month, as reported by the BBC. If nothing changes, within a year, 50 percent of the some 200 gorillas in the area may be wiped out—shipped down the Kouilou River to Pointe Noire and sold at $6 per handful of meat. 

ESI estimates that at least 300 gorillas a year are sold to markets in the Republic of Congo. They hope to stop the killing in the area by implementing educational conservation programs, working with hunters, and creating a gorilla nature reserve.

You can do your part, too: Ecotourism gorilla tracking trips help protect the natural environment of these very endangered animals and place a premium on living gorillas. And with deals celebrating 2009 as the United Nations' Year of the Gorilla, you'll be conserving cash as well as primates. Try a gorilla scouting adventure in Uganda or Rwanda with Volcanoes Safaris. Permits cost up to $500 per person, but Volcanoes is offering a second permit free on six-day safaris through 2010. On a tailor-made trip, take advantage of two free nights at eco-friendly Mount Gahinga Lodge. See Volacanoes Safaris's Adventure Ratings profile here.

—Greer Schott

Photograph courtesy of Volcanoes Safaris

Comments

[african mango]

They hope to stop the killing in the area by implementing educational conservation programs, working with hunters, and creating a gorilla nature reserve.

[poker für anfänger]

I have been reading blogs on this subject for a few hours now and your content is the most informed I have read thus far. Thanks for putting this information in one place.

[Hai]

Thank for the post.Let's go ahead to protect the humanlike beasts.
http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/
http://www.indochinadeluxetour.com/

[entrance floor mats]

I am hoping that you will continue writing this kind of blog. Thanks for sharing this information

[Great Plains Lending]

Golden Age of sustainable tourism right about now. But here’s another thought: Maybe we already have?

[franquicias infantiles]

They hope to stop the killing in the area by implementing educational conservation programs, working with hunters, and creating a gorilla nature reserve.

[debt consolidation]

I really like this blog,as i am suffering from this problem this post helped me a lot.Thanks for the valuable share and keep up your good work.

[online cash loans]

They hope to stop the killing in the area by implementing educational conservation programs, working with hunters, and creating a gorilla nature reserve.

[tapetes espagueti]

Knowing all this is truly a knowledge to keep. Your logical thinking applied to this algorithm of codes are really excellent.

[Web Listings]

The particulars and exact recommendation are insurance specifically what I was wanting.

[Healthy Options]

Great sharing of adventure experience.

[Where is Singapore]

It is great adventure interacting with animals. This is real safari.

[Dresses]

From this blog to all people who are reading this must bear in mind that adventure is not only for self fun and self enjoyment. We must follow them that they start to protect wild life animals/ species.

[Travel to UK]

This travel are a lot of significance not only by showing that you are going to taking care the wild life in the forest and all endanger species. I really admire to this group of people because they are devoted to show to one of us this type good doing.

[Qdoba Mexican Grill Coupons]

Its so sad how another beautiful species is dying off. These creatures are almost humanlike, I have always loved the way they eat food like us and treat their children as we do.

[ferragamo shoes]

the information of this post is very relevant
for what i am looking for, thank you so much for sharing this one

[Periodontal Treatment Expert]

Despite of an expensive fare to Africa you still made it to have such trip. Nonetheless it's a trip with a cause.
In your article it simply tell us that we should protect our wild life most specially to those endangered species because if not then the possibility is we can no longer see those animals for real.

[id scanner]

There's no job more fulfilling than being an activist and fight for animal rights. Maybe being a doctor is more. But still...

[id scanner]

There's no job more fulfilling than being an activist and fight for animal rights. Maybe being a doctor is more. But still...

[club penguin cheats]

The Gorilla is today one of the most endangered species. Their population is fast dwindling. The Mountain gorillas are on the verge of extinction.

[Amber, ecoturism]

I truly hope ecoturism can beat the bush meat trade by providing the native peoples another means to earn a living. I understand that people need to make a living and take care of the families, but killing an almost extinct specifies is unacceptable and a horrible, horrible thing to do.

[ecotourism holidays]

Going on these types of trips brings money into the local economy and to the right organisations, so will hopefully help fight the hunters and help these beautiful animas survive.

[ugg boots]

These well-known UGG Classic Cardy are now becoming more and more fashionable and popular, to some extent. I believe you may ask what the shoes can bring us. As I know, if one person struck by lightning in Holland, his family must put all his Classic Cardy Boots up as soon as possible. And in the fairy tale, the shoes are more magic indeed. Now, I always say that the UGG Classic Cardy Boots are so magic and popular.http://www.uggscardy.com

[Johan Dahl]

So nice Safari