CARDANO-ADA GOMA STAKE POOL: ECO-TOURISM

The Goma Stakepool based in the Dem. of Congo, in the city of Goma aims to support wildlife conservation and promote ecotourism while training developers at the Goma Wada hub.

This is why we often visit wild animals, especially those whose species are rare or endangered.
the case is that of the gorillas.

Mountain and eastern lowland gorillas are among the endemic species found only in Congo.

Differentiating the three Sub-species of Gorillas and their geographycal locations

There are 3 sub-species of gorillas:

• The western lowland gorilla
• The mountain gorilla
• The eastern lowland gorilla

The western gorillas are found in congo-Brazzaville, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroun, and Gabon.

Moutain gorillas, are one of two subspecies of gorillas found in Congo, the other being the Eastern gorilla.  The mountain Gorillas live in volcanic regions of Virunga in D.R. Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda in total about 604 individuals.

Eastern lowland gorillas are found only in Congo, protected in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Maiko National Park. Of all the subspecies, the eastern lowland gorilla is the most impressive. Males can reach a weight of 200 kg and a height of 180 cm when standing. Females are significantly smaller with a maximum weight of 110 kg and a height of 140 cm.

Troops are made of a dominant silverback male, several females, and their youngs. The troops can range in size from 5 to 30 individuals.

Lowland gorillas are primarily herbivores, feeding on a range of fruits, leaves, and bamboos. The dominant silverback male is responsible for leading the troop to where these resources can be found, protecting the group from threats, and resolving disputes within the group.

One of the most significant threats facing Lowland gorillas is habitat loss due to deforestation caused by human activities such as logging, mining, and agriculture. Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade also remain a major threat, with gorillas often being hunted for meat or captured for the pet trade. The spread of diseases from humans to gorillas is also a major concern, as humans and gorillas share many similarities in their DNA makeup.

Several conservation efforts have been put in place to protect these magnificent creatures. National parks and reserves have been established in Congo since 1925 to protect and preserve species habitat, while anti-poaching patrols have been set up to stop illegal hunting and trade. Conservation organizations have also been working to raise awareness and funding to support gorilla conservation efforts.

Visitors to Congo can participate in gorilla tourism, which provides an opportunity to see the Lowland gorillas in their natural habitat. However, strict regulations and guidelines are in place to ensure the safety and protection of these animals.

In conclusion, Eastern Lowland gorillas are an important and endangered species of primate that play a critical role in the ecosystems of Congo. With increased awareness, conservation efforts, and responsible tourism practices, we can work towards the protection and preservation of these magnificent creatures for years to come.

Goma Stake Pool in Ecotourism at Kahuzi Biega National Park

Some members of the Goma team went to visit the Kahuzi biega national park in the province of South Kivu, to live an exceptional experience in contact with the biodiversity of the fauna and flora. We traveled by boat from Goma to Bukavu and took a car to reach the park. This beautiful experience begins with a briefing on the park by the person in charge, who gives an overview of the park, its species, and everything you need to know about tourism, the measures to be observed for our safety, and animal safety. We walked about 50 minutes before finding the first family of gorillas, it is the Nnabanga family, Nnabanga is 19 years old, the dominant male of a troop of 7 females.

Conservation efforts pay off as endangered Grauer’s gorillas breed in Kahuzi Biega National Park

The Kahuzi Biega National Park

in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), announces its first birth of baby grauer gorilla of the year 2023 in this month of March. In the year 2022 two newborns were listed.

“We are delighted to announce the birth of the first eastern lowland gorilla this year 2023. This birth occurred in the majestic family of Bonane with one of its most faithful females, the female Mukono” says the Chief Director of site Dr. Deo Kujirakwinja.

He adds: “The eco-guards of the Kahuzi Biega National Park work day and night to protect the population of Grauer’s gorillas which currently number is 174 individuals only at the level of the high altitude sector. We ask anyone who wants to participate in this protection to support us by visiting our various touristic attractions. »

The Site Management invites local communities to protect and enhance PNKB, a destination of global importance for visiting gorillas and a key reservoir of ecosystems.

You can support conservation efforts by delegating to the GOMA Participation Pool or purchasing an NFT as we care about ecotourism and wildlife conservation.