Protecting gorillas on the front line
How Viva! helps gorilla trackers – the frontline guardians of mountain gorillas
Every day, gorilla trackers put themselves at the heart of the forest to help protect Uganda’s mountain gorillas. Working in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, they monitor gorilla families, record their movements and check for signs of illness, injury or danger.
Trackers play a crucial role in gorilla conservation. They are the vital link between gorillas and veterinarians, helping make sure sick or injured animals can get help quickly. Their work also supports research and helps conservation teams protect gorillas more effectively.
In the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area, 89 trackers monitor 27 habituated gorilla groups across Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Mgahinga. It is demanding, often exhausting work. Trackers brave steep slopes, dense forest, rain and mist, sometimes trekking for hours at a time to protect gorillas and support the communities living alongside them.
Viva!’s project goals
Through Gorilla Defenders, Viva! is helping the people on the front line of gorilla protection. Our aim is to give trackers the training, equipment and support they need to keep mountain gorillas safe.
With your support, we aim to:
- Train and strengthen the skills of gorilla trackers
- Provide the essential equipment they need to work safely and effectively
- Support faster responses to threats, illness and human-gorilla conflict
- Help protect the forests that gorillas depend on for survival
Donations can help fund:
- Rain gear, gumboots, backpacks, tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags
- Gloves, masks and other protective equipment
- Laptops, smartphones, external drives and power banks
- Training in data management, ecological monitoring, gorilla health and disease prevention
The difference it makes
Trackers are essential to gorilla conservation. They help monitor gorilla families, record crucial information, spot problems early and support life-saving interventions when needed.
By equipping and training these frontline protectors, we can help safeguard Uganda’s mountain gorillas, protect their habitat and support a more sustainable future for local communities too.