Gorilla habituation and the role of animal agency in conservation and tourism development at Bwindi, South Western Uganda

Gorilla habituation at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is not solely a human-driven process but involves complex interactions where gorillas exhibit agency, influencing conservation and tourism development. Using Actor Network Theory and more-than-human geography, this study reveals that gorillas are active participants in their own habituation, shaping landscape dynamics, conservation practices, and even human behavior. Contrary to the traditional view of passive control, gorillas co-produce multiple versions of Bwindi's ecosystem, challenging the notion of unidirectional influence. The research, based on ethnographic observations and interviews, highlights the need for adaptive conservation strategies that harness gorilla-human dynamics for sustainable coexistence.

Ampumuza, C., & Driessen, C. (2020). Gorilla habituation and the role of animal agency in conservation and tourism development at Bwindi, South Western Uganda. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space, 4(4), 1601–1621. https://doi.org/10.1177/2514848620966502