GETTING TO KNOW GORILLAS

Conservation Activities
The Uganda Wildlife Authority and several conservation organizations work intensively to protect the gorillas through a multi-pronged approach.
 Law enforcement: park rangers routinely patrol the park to reduce illegal activities, cut snares, and catch poachers.
 Ecotourism: the permit fees generate revenue to protect Bwindi.
Additional employment is created for the local people working as porters, restaurant workers, artisans, and others in the tourism industry.
 Community development: several projects aim to improve the livelihood of local people through improving agricultural practices and development of small business practices. Assistance is also given through construction of schools, roads, and health clinics.
 Research and Monitoring: to conserve the gorillas we must understand their ecological and behavioral patterns. We must also have information to know the gorilla population and their habitat are changing over time.
 Veterinary Medicine and Public Health: Veterinarians are on stand-by to remove snares or treat gorillas for respiratory illness. They also regularly monitor gorilla health. Improving public health practices benefits both the local communities and the gorillas.