Seven Uganda gorillas return from Rwanda
Oct 12, 2009
Seven gorillas that had crossed to Rwanda from Mgahinga National Park in south-western Uganda a year ago have returned.
By Gerald Tenywa
Seven gorillas that had crossed to Rwanda from Mgahinga National Park in south-western Uganda a year ago have returned.
According to Lillian Nsubuga, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) spokesperson, the Nyakagezi group left the country on November 18, last year and returned last Thursday.
“Their return is being treated as an Independence Day gift,†Nsubuga said.
“This is the longest time the group has spent in Rwanda. They often cross the border and come-back after a short time.â€
However, Nsubuga was not sure when the tracking of the group would resume.
“We have started monitoring them. So far, they have not charged at the trackers meaning that they are still habituated. This is an indication that tracking by tourists could begin soon,†she said.
Habituation is a process through which gorillas become used to human beings without losing their wild character.
Nsubuga noted that Nyakagezi was the only habituated group in Mgahinga National Park.
“Wildlife is migratory in nature, but the gorillas have a place they call home,†Nsubuga said.
Asked whether the gorillas are likely to go back to Rwanda, Nsubuga said: “I cannot rule that out, but their home is in Mgahinga and they will always come back.â€
While the mountain gorillas were away, the park authorities were promoting the golden monkeys as a tourism attraction.
With the return of Nyakagezi and the recent launch of other groups in Bwindi, Nshongi and Nkuringo, Kisoro is likely to become a tourism hub.
Half of the 700 mountain gorillas in the world are found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The rest occupy the Virungas mountains, which straddle Uganda (Mgahinga), Rwanda and the DR Congo.
UWA manages the gorillas in collaboration with Rwanda and the DR Congo under the International Gorilla Conservation Programme.
Seven gorillas that had crossed to Rwanda from Mgahinga National Park in south-western Uganda a year ago have returned.
According to Lillian Nsubuga, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) spokesperson, the Nyakagezi group left the country on November 18, last year and returned last Thursday.
“Their return is being treated as an Independence Day gift,†Nsubuga said.
“This is the longest time the group has spent in Rwanda. They often cross the border and come-back after a short time.â€
However, Nsubuga was not sure when the tracking of the group would resume.
“We have started monitoring them. So far, they have not charged at the trackers meaning that they are still habituated. This is an indication that tracking by tourists could begin soon,†she said.
Habituation is a process through which gorillas become used to human beings without losing their wild character.
Nsubuga noted that Nyakagezi was the only habituated group in Mgahinga National Park.
“Wildlife is migratory in nature, but the gorillas have a place they call home,†Nsubuga said.
Asked whether the gorillas are likely to go back to Rwanda, Nsubuga said: “I cannot rule that out, but their home is in Mgahinga and they will always come back.â€
While the mountain gorillas were away, the park authorities were promoting the golden monkeys as a tourism attraction.
With the return of Nyakagezi and the recent launch of other groups in Bwindi, Nshongi and Nkuringo, Kisoro is likely to become a tourism hub.
Half of the 700 mountain gorillas in the world are found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The rest occupy the Virungas mountains, which straddle Uganda (Mgahinga), Rwanda and the DR Congo.
UWA manages the gorillas in collaboration with Rwanda and the DR Congo under the International Gorilla Conservation Programme.