Lack of Rule-Adherence During Mountain Gorilla Tourism Encounters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, Places Gorillas at Risk From Human Disease

Over 98% of mountain gorilla tourism encounters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP), Uganda, violated the critical 7-meter human-gorilla distance rule, despite rigorous pre-trek briefings by park rangers. This finding, derived from observational data collected during 53 treks between May and August 2014, reveals a significant risk of disease transmission to endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), with 68.2% of observations occurring at distances ≤7 meters and 14% at ≤3 meters. The study highlights systemic non-adherence to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guidelines, which limit group size and duration while enforcing strict spacing rules. Survey data from 243 tourists suggest potential for improvement, with 73.6% expressing willingness to adopt precautionary measures like face masks to protect gorilla health. These results underscore the urgent need for stronger enforcement and education to mitigate disease risks in this critical conservation context.

Weber, A., Kalema-Zikusoka, G., & Stevens, N. J. (2020). Lack of Rule-Adherence During Mountain Gorilla Tourism Encounters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, Places Gorillas at Risk From Human Disease. Frontiers in Public Health, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00001