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Reasons Why Tourists Don’t Find Mountain Gorillas In The Zoo in Uganda!

Mountain Gorilla tracking is a popular Uganda safari, Rwanda safari and Congo safari because of the aliveness gorilla trekking safaris reward travellers. Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Rwanda gorilla safari and Congo gorilla trekking safaris are the only way of seeing Mountain Gorillas in the whole world’s because, in the whole world, these special elusive giants are only found in the three African countries. Mountain Gorillas have before gone through numerous attempts to be captivated but still there no Mountain Gorillas in captivity. During the 1960s and the ’70s, numerous attempts were made to captivate Mountain Gorillas with many adults being killed to obtain babies but none of them survived.

The last known Mountain Gorilla that survived in captivity was known as Kaboko who survived in Senkwekwe Center mountain gorilla sanctuary at the Virunga National park headquarters in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He passed on at approximately 5:30 a.m. on July 25 after fighting raged between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels less than a mile from the centre. In Congo, orphaned Mountain Gorillas are protected in the Senkwekwe centre but just within their natural habitat of Virunga National Park without moving them out of the park. Here is why Mountain Gorillas can’t survive in captivity or be taken to zoos;

The reason why Mountain Gorillas failed to survive in captivity is unclear but most probably the main reason is because of the complex gorilla diet. The dietary needs of a mountain gorilla are too specific based almost exclusively on foliage. Mountain Gorillas are primarily herbivores; the majority of their diet is composed of the leaves, shoots and stems (85.8%) of 142 plant species. It also feeds on bark (6.9%), roots (3.3%), flowers (2.3%), and fruit (1.7%), as well as small invertebrates. (0.1%). Adult males can eat up to 34 kilograms (75 lb.) of vegetation a day, while a female can eat as much as 18 kilograms (40 lb.). This rate of consumption and variety in feeds makes it difficult for the gorillas to survive in captivity. In most cases, whether on a Uganda gorilla safari, gorilla safari Rwanda or Congo gorilla tour, trekkers will find Mountain Gorillas feeding, this is because their natural habitat offers a variety of desired feed taken at their own will.

Many mountain gorillas in captivity die of heart disease resulting from obesity. This is so because they feed a lot and do less exercise. This could actually be the reason for the failure of mountain gorillas to survive in captivity. Mountain gorilla natural habitats range on an altitude of 3,904 – 8,553 m above sea level where the gorillas keep traversing all through the day.

The other reason could be stress, therefore, succumbing to disease more rapidly. For instance, kaboko the male gorilla that survived in Congo died after the outbreak of fights in the country just less than a mile from its residence. They are used to being in a peaceful environment and that’s why the number of Uganda gorilla tour, gorilla safari Congo or Rwanda gorilla trekking safari tourists are restricted to 8 people per gorilla family.

However, the population of mountain gorillas is just starting to recover and therefore trying to take them to captivity could seriously harm the population. It could be better to conserve the mountain gorillas within their natural habitat and we continue living without any of them in the zoos since we can still see them in the wild.

Best Way to See Mountain Gorillas?

Since there no mountain gorillas in captivity the only way of seeing them is by undertaking a gorilla trekking safari. Mountain Gorillas are only existent in three countries and Four National Parks in the whole world. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the safari Uganda gorilla habitats. In Rwanda mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes National Park and in Virunga National Park in Congo. To see the elusive gentle giants therefore one has to plan a Uganda gorilla trekking safari, Rwanda gorilla safari or Congo gorilla trekking safari. Each country has rules guiding the activity with a minimum age being 15 years of age. Mountain gorilla trekking involves hiking since the gorillas survive at an altitude of about 1,190-4,507.

Is it Safe to trek Mountain Gorillas?

Gorillas are not aggressive or readily set to cause harm to people. Generally, gorillas are very shy and reserved towards people however, if threatened or when a person behaves the wrong way they will attack. By behaving the wrong way, it means you didn’t follow the rules and therefore made noise, looked direct into its eyes, beat your chest or did expose them to flash photography, this will get them cautious. Before gorilla families are opened up for gorilla trekking they go through habituation, therefore, are carefully exposed to humans in the wild. They will still have caution near humans, but they have learned that humans are not a threat, and they act accordingly. Gorilla trekking is becoming a popular safari activity entailed in many itineraries to Africa because of the aliveness from the safari. Plan a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda gorilla tour or gorilla trekking safari in Congo and have one of a kind safari. Humans and gorillas have a lot of likenesses since we share about 90% of DNA with the species. Tailor the activity to either your Rwanda wildlife safari, wildlife safari in Uganda or Congo wildlife safari and have more of sightings but a lifetime experience.

Best Uganda Gorilla Trekking Packages

For any kind of traveller whether luxury, Mid-range or basic planning to come in for Uganda tours, these gorilla trekking packages offer the best safari memories;

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