September 24 is World Gorilla Day and recognizes the majesty of gorillas, with whom we share more than 98% of our DNA as well as the threats to survival they face onour warming planet. World Gorilla Day, which started four years ago, marks the day that renowned gorilla conservationist Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda in 1967. Gorillas
live in the Congo basin, in the second-largest forest left on earth, a forest that plays a critical role in our fight against climate change.
To kick off World Gorilla Day, the Fossey Fund’s CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Tara Stoinski, will join the Rwanda Development Board and Praveen Moman of Volcanoes Safaris at the Regenerative Travel Summit to speak to Rwanda’s unique approach of NGO’s, tourism and governments successfully collaborating in conservation on behalf of the mountain gorillas. The virtual 3-day event is hosted by Regenerative Travel and REYA Communications to unite global stakeholders during World Climate Week from September 23rd – 25th.
“On World Gorilla Day, we want people to know that the species is still in extreme danger, and we cannot let up in our conservation efforts. When gorillas are healthy, the forests in which they live are healthy as well, as are the other species of plants and animals who thrive in the gorillas’ habitat. Protecting gorillas protects us all.” shares Dr. Tara Stoinski.
What started with one woman in a small tent eventually grew into the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the largest and longest-running gorilla conservation program in the world. The Fossey Fund’s work covers conservation, science and people, which can be supported through a variety of initiatives, including symbolic gorilla adoptions and fundraising.
Meanwhile, tourism remains a fragile piece of the mountain gorilla conservation efforts currently impacted by COVID-19. “Sensitive controlled gorilla ecotourism has been a win-win model for protecting the rare mountain gorilla, for conserving the tiny habitat where the gorillas live in Uganda,
Rwanda and the DRC and most of all for giving poor communities in this neighbourhood a livelihood,” shares Praveen Moman, Founder of Volcanoes Safaris. The pioneer of great ape tourism also shares, “Covid has destroyed this delicate chain and jeopardised the success of this model. We hope very much travelers will now come back to share the world of the mountain gorilla now that the destinations are opening up again.”
● To learn more about Fossey Fund programs in Rwanda and Volcanoes Safaris’ conservation
efforts in Rwanda and Uganda please watch the below videos:
○ Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Overview
○ Volcanoes Safaris Celebrating Gorillas and Communities
● To learn more or to register for free to the Regenerative Travel Summit visit www.regenerativetravel.com/summit.
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