10 Reasons Why People Love Gorillas

Gorillas’ natural habitats cover tropical or subtropical forest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The world hosts tow species of gorillas namely: Mountain and Lowland Gorillas but Mountain Gorillas are more loved. People love gorillas and even go on gorilla safaris for several reasons basing on their profession, Age and Gender. For more information, people love Gorillas because of the following reasons:

1. Gorilla are our close relatives – In fact, gorillas share 98.3% of their genetic code with humans, making them our closest cousins after chimpanzees and bonobos. Gorillas are gentle giants and display many human-like behaviors and emotions, such as laughter and sadness. Gorillas also form families just like human being and defend them selves when attacked. Sharing some traits with Gorillas justifies our love for Gorillas.

2. Gorillas are critically endangered – That means they are in danger of extinction – Gorillas have a low multiplication rate but are likely to extinct on a high rate. Human encroachment to their natural habitat (for illegal hunting, Settlement & agriculture) and disease like Ebola, Cough etc makes the number of the exiting Gorillas decline. For that case people yarn to meet them before their extinction.

3. Gorillas are super social – just like human being, Gorillas like staying and moving in groups of about 20 members. Gorillas Feed together, sleep in nests built near each other, The male Gorillas defend the entire group in case of any attack, females nurture young ones, Gorillas work together and so many other characteristic similar to those of human beings. Many people always love to meet a primate which almost behavior like humans.

4. Source of Income – Many people are employed to care about Gorillas (game rangers, Gorilla Doctors, Tour operators, Researchers among others). As far as foreign exchange is concerned Gorillas brings in a lot of foreign currency to different nations hosting them. Many people are employed as tour consultant, drivers/ guides, porters and so on.

5. Gorillas facilitates better services in areas around National parks -In some countries like Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo share the benefits from Gorillas with local community near the parks. Communities benefits in terms of better services like better roads, clean water, improved health facilities, better education, accommodation and security among others. The country hosting Gorillas also benefits by receiving foreign currency which is used to improve the infrastructures, reducing un employment hence boosting development.

6. They are intelligent – though not so much intelligent as Chimpanzees, their capacity to make and maintain well set families, self-defense and their routine activities justifies their intelligence. Just like humans, Gorillas are charge when disturbed that is why rangers always caution Gorilla trekkers to take care during the process. Gorillas also shows signs of annoyance and warns before any attack.

7. Gorillas facilitates conservation – Had it not been Gorillas, many natural habitats would be no more while others in great danger! But being home for Gorillas, we need to conserve for generation. Some forests, mountains and valleys among others are protected because they keep Gorillas. Key studies include: Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park- both in Uganda. Volcanoes National park and Virunga National Park in Rwanda and DRC respectively.

8. Source of information – The researchers/ students learn more about Gorillas, primatologists study more and keeps on studying about Gorillas. The university/ collage students carry out research about Gorillas to be able to complete their courses hence promoting education. By inspiring the next generation of scientists, teachers, politicians and community leaders now, they will, in turn, prioritize the continued protection of the gorilla in the decades to come.

9. Gorillas habitats are places for relaxation– looking into the eyes of Gorillas is indeed memorable! Meeting Gorillas in their natural habitat is among the life time events. Some Gorilla habitats are cool, quiet and peaceful to facilitate human relaxation. While in the forest, tourists feel the unique sound of the forests e.g Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda.

10. Gorillas boost tourism – A country with Gorillas is frequently visited for Gorilla trekking. Being a rare primate, the demand for Gorilla trekking is high all year round but advance booking is recommendable. On the other, when tourists go for gorilla trekking, they also visit other destinations hence promoting tourism for the entire country.