The presence of gorillas is a wonderful blessing to the ecology, despite the fact that they are endangered and highly sought after. Different organisms and the environment in which they dwell make up an ecosystem. Green Plants are the decomposers, consumers and producers of these organisms. Water, animals, air, light, soil, plants and temperature are all part of the ecosystem.
Gorillas are the world’s largest primate species, found solely in Africa and open to visitors from all over the world. Selfless conservation efforts, as well as public awareness, have together contributed to the continued survival and existence of these unique apes till this day.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are two gorilla species: eastern gorillas (Gorilla Beringei) and western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), both of which are only found in Africa’s equatorial jungle. Western Gorillas are classified into two subspecies: western lowland Gorillas and Cross-River Gorillas, which are found in Africa’s central region, in Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, etc.
Mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas live in the huge Virunga mountain range, stretching over Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, to Rwanda.
Gorillas are important members of the ecosystem in which they inhabit. They are the reason why some of the world’s oldest natural forests, including those like Bwindi, Mgahinga and the Volcanoes, are still standing, unaltered and important wildlife habitats. They contribute to ecosystem’s survival acting as agents of dispersal distributing seeds throughout the forest, allowing new flora to sprout.
Other animals that share its territory benefit from the falling fruits and seeds as they play on tree limbs or move from one location to another. The Gorillas’ digging maintains the soil rich, allowing the plants to grow and forest is kept green and flourishing. Trees are broken and space is made as they travel from one region to another, allowing the new plants to get sunlight and thrive.
Gorillas add to diversity of the forest, as they move from one territory to another each day, dispersing seeds leading to forest regeneration. They clean the air of carbon dioxide, keep the plants healthy, and shape the plant community. When one dies, the flies and other predators get what to feed on and live.
It’s a call to action for everyone to help ensure the survival and conservation of these unique creatures. Give a donation, take a gorilla trekking tour in Africa or sensitize against the vices of poaching and human encroachment. Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in the northern Republic of Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the southwestern part of Uganda are all good places to undertake gorilla trekking safaris.
The activity begins early in the morning at 8:00am and lasts approximately 2-8 hours, plus an hour to watch the young stars play, mothers breastfeed, and silverbacks pose majestically for the photos. However, everyone must adhere to the trekking norms and guidelines. A gorilla family can only be tracked by eight individuals per day.
To be sure you will not harm the ecosystem while tracking the apes, follow their rhythm of life, by not dumping rubbish in the wild, proper waste disposal, no smoking, complying with the instructions as told by ranger guides and respecting the gorillas in their natural habitat.
Cost of trekking gorillas.
In Uganda, foreign non-residents pay $700, foreign residents pay $600, while East African residents pay ugx 250,000. This money will go toward conservation initiatives, paying the ranger guide, and contributing to well-being of the park’s surrounding communities.
Gorillas perform an important part in entire ecosystem, necessitating the need to respect and protect them at all costs. For the greatest of mystical creatures, take the time to visit and personally explore their native homes in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo.
