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Exploring the Impact of Covid-19 on Gorillas and Conservation Efforts
As the world battles Covid-19, the impact of the virus is felt widely, not just among humans but also in great apes like gorillas, chimps, bonobos, and orangutans. Their vulnerability to diseases shared with humans puts them at significant risk during this global health crisis.
Great Apes at a Crossroads: The Covid-19 Impact on Gorillas
Sharing 98% of our DNA, great apes are highly susceptible to viruses that affect humans. Past epidemics, such as Ebola, have devastated ape populations in Africa. Today, experts are concerned that SARS-CoV-2 could pose a similar threat to all apes.
The challenges extend beyond health issues. Conservation efforts are severely impacted as lockdowns and travel restrictions reduce funding. The vital revenue from ecotourism, which previously supported conservation teams, has now dried up.
Conservation Amidst Covid-19: A Fragile Balance
In Uganda, mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Virunga Mountains displayed encouraging population growth, showcasing resilience despite their vulnerabilities.
Similarly, chimpanzee numbers have increased in Kabalore National Park thanks to sustained conservation efforts. However, these gains are now at risk.
At Gamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary near Lake Victoria, two decades of supporting chimpanzees are under threat as tourism halts. The lack of visitors has pushed the sanctuary to rely solely on overworked staff to fend off the virus.
With masks and gloves in short supply, the challenges are immense. Increased frequency of cleaning strains the already tight budget, making it difficult to maintain daily operations such as feeding and training.
The Economics of Conservation Under Threat
It costs about $4,000 annually to support each chimp, with forty chimps residing on the island requiring constant care and nourishment. The absence of tourism revenue has shifted focus towards donations, which are scarce in these challenging economic times.
As a result, wildlife parks and sanctuaries worldwide are experiencing financial hardships. The decrease in ecotourism not only affects conservation funding but also increases the risks of poaching and illegal logging.
The Risk of Reversal and the Road Ahead
For fifty years, Uganda’s Jane Goodall Institute has been pivotal in conservation efforts, supported by community involvement, education, and government cooperation. Unfortunately, Covid-19 overshadowed these accomplishments, reducing ranger presence in parks and complicating conservation efforts as financial resources dwindle.
What Can Be Done to Mitigate the Covid-19 Impact on Gorillas?
Understanding the adverse effects of Covid-19 on apes underscores the urgency of supporting conservation initiatives.
- Sustaining Funding: Explore alternative financial sources beyond tourism to ensure continuous support for staff and animal care.
- Health Safeguards: Implement stringent health measures including the use of masks and gloves, and monitor for disease to prevent interspecies transmission.
- Community Support: Offer alternative employment opportunities to local communities to deter them from activities that harm apes.
- Global Awareness: Raise international awareness about the plight of apes, fostering support through aid and legislation.
A Call for Balanced Attention
The Covid-19 pandemic urges us to care for people and our close relatives, the apes. By implementing robust conservation strategies, we can safeguard both human and ape populations, maintaining ecological balance and protecting diverse species.
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