As the pandemic virus continues to spread all over the world, there is so much worry between humans and fear to spread it to wild life especially Gorillas where there is daily interaction with humans.
Virunga national park temporarily closed Virunga national park, one of the oldest forests and home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The closure followed after Democratic republic of Congo confirmed cases of COVID -19 in the country.
The Park’s temporary closure of Congo tours is being taken as a precautionary measure in line with World Health Organization recommendations to restrict movement and limit social interactions.
Virunga national park took this wise decision from scientific experts which indicates if gorilla tourism continues, there is a likelihood of transmitting the novel corona virus to the primates. Mountain Gorillas share 97% with human beings thus they stand a chance to contract human disease especially airborne including Tuberculosis, cough and flue and other respiratory complications.
Virunga national park is shared in the greater Virunga conservation area together with Volcanoes national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. The gorillas are known to wonder all over due to their mobility and thus spread the virus if infected.
In a measure to protect the growing population of the gorillas in Virunga national park, management decided to suspend gorilla tracking safaris until 1st June 2020. Already booked safaris within the next two months have been advised to postpone further up to June 2021.
Virunga national park for the past years it is known for rebel attacks to the staff and tourists which in so many time lead to closure of the park but this time around the temporary closure is for non-other than the outbreak of corona virus.
The public is urged to stay healthy and safe and so the decision to protect both wild life and its people.
Besides gorilla trekking in Virunga national park, the park features other activities which include;
Nyirangongo hike is another activity which attract tourists to Virunga national park, the active volcanoes which last erupted in 2002 with lave streaming 20 km to the neighboring communities in town is a major attraction. The volcano is right in the center of the park, hiking usually takes 4-5 hours depending on the physical fitness of the team.
Other activities to note are chimpanzee habituation, Nature walks and land scape viewing among others.