Why Mountain Gorillas are Important to the Ecosystem

Many travelers ask Why Mountain Gorillas are Important to the ecosystem while they are on their adventures of a lifetime to Uganda the Pearl of Africa. Gorillas just like any other animals are important to the ecosystem in the environment. Mountain Gorillas are unique wild animals endemic to the two habitats of Bwindi impenetrable forest and Virunga massif.

With Uganda gorilla safaris and Rwanda gorilla tours becoming popular every other year, many wonder why mountain gorillas are important.

Just like any other wild animals, mountain gorillas are important in the ecosystem and play a very important role. Without these giants, that eat lots of vegetation, the natural balance in the food chain would be disrupted.

Without the consumption of large amounts of vegetation by mountain gorillas, this could negatively affect other wildlife in the area, and ultimately the people who depend on that environment for food, water, and other resources. Here is why mountain gorillas are important;

Why Mountain Gorillas are Important to the Ecosystem

Ecotourism:

Mountain gorillas have played a very vital role in promoting ecotourism as many tourists plan gorilla tours to go gorilla trekking.

There are guided gorilla trips for tourists on Uganda gorilla safaris, gorilla tours in Rwanda, and gorilla trekking in Congo.

There are only 4 national parks that host mountain gorillas and these are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Congo.

To trek and see mountain gorillas in any of the national parks, tourists must pay a cost for a gorilla trekking permit. From the gorilla permit, individuals like conservationists, park rangers, and all persons involved in the conservation of mountain gorillas gain a living.

Balance in the ecosystem:

Gorillas play an important role in balancing the ecosystem through activities like eating lots of vegetation and dispersing seeds throughout the forest.

They also create places where seedlings can grow and replenish the forest. Dispersing seeds through the forest is vital to other animals that share their habitat as well as humans. This also is what the forest relies on to sustain the regrowth of its environment.

Development of local society:

With the cost of the gorilla trekking permits, individuals from the surrounding societies gain and develop from the proceeds.

With the existence of mountain gorillas, proceeds from tours help people from the neighboring societies gain infrastructures like schools, hospitals, and other developmental properties.

Mountain gorilla trekking is such a memorable experience and with the fact that mountain gorillas are important to the ecosystem and persons living around the parks, having a great experience and helping in conservation is worth it.

In case you want a typical African wildlife safari then what you need is a Tanzania safari or Kenya safari for viewing thousands of wildebeest.