primates
Awards, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, who has been instrumental in reviving Uganda’s mountain gorilla population and will accompany two new tours with a strong conservation focus, in 2020 to Uganda, and in 2021 to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. A National Geographic primatologist accompanies the National Geographic Expeditions tour to Uganda and Rwanda, and as with all the operator’s tours, a portion of the proceeds goes to support the work of the scientists, explorers and educators of the National Geographic Society. For something really different, investigate extreme-adventure specialist Secret Compass, which creates expeditions in hard-to-access areas, some with primate conservation aims. A July 2020 trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo is run sustainably in conjunction with Virunga National Park, and clients will get to meet the rangers and see the critically endangered gorillas. Later that year, another expedition will seek out bonobos, a close cousin of the chimpanzee (page 39). Clients with extremely deep pockets can have something unique handcrafted by Cookson Adventures, which engages directly with conservationists and scientists to create bespoke adventures in destinations such as the Congo basin, Gabonese
42 September 2019
Gorillas, the poster children of primate tourism, have moved from critically endangered to endangered
rainforest and Ethiopian highlands. Director of projects Nick Davies likens it to the last 15 minutes of Blue Planet. “They’ll go behind the scenes and see how it’s done,” he says. “Our clients are looking for unique experiences and to incorporate conservation into their trips, and the conservation organisations benefit from exposure and funding.”
GORILLA GOALS It’s not all doom and gloom – there is good news on the conservation front. Gorillas, the poster children of primate tourism, have moved one step away from extinction, from critically endangered to endangered. Forty years ago, there were fewer than 250 individuals; now, after anti-poaching protection, there are more than 1,000. However, their status is still incredibly fragile. Only a tiny area of their habitat remains, and threats are high. Responsible tourism can help to cement their success, by making a live gorilla worth more than a dead one.
HOW TO VIEW PRIMATES RESPONSIBLY
f Visit and support only genuine animal sanctuaries that provide temporary or lifetime shelter, care and rehabilitation to animals that have been injured, confiscated, orphaned or abandoned.
f Ensure your primate-viewing excursions do not involve feeding or direct contact; responsible practice requires keeping a respectful distance and not disturbing normal behaviour.
f Being our close relatives, many diseases can be transferred either way between humans and other primates – even the common cold can risk killing them. Whether in the wild or captivity, observe primates only from a distance.
f Don’t stand directly underneath tree-dwelling primates – if you do, you are likely to find yourself standing at the bottom of a long-drop toilet!
Source: Animondial, a specialist consultancy working with travel companies to better manage tourism’s impact on animals and their natural environment (
animondial.com)
travelweekly.co.uk/atas
PICTURES: SHUTTERSTOCK
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