But there is a counter example that is, for a change, really good news. In Rwanda, the government has taken a different approach to species preservation that appears to be working. Not long ago, the entire population of wild mountain gorillas was believed to have fallen to the extremely low number of some two hundred and fifty individuals, most of which lived in the nearly impenetrable jungle peaks of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rather than sell hunting permits, Rwanda now sells expensive ecotourism permits, enabling tourists to hike into the endangered species’ habitat with expert guides and see them at close range.
Ecotourism has incentivized the neighboring communities to protect rather than poach the animals, much more effectively than the hunting permits. The Rwandan guides are trained and employed by the government. They are accompanied by local porters, some of whom are former poachers, who earn better wages than they would otherwise by helping the tourists navigate the difficult terrain. Tourists are only permitted to mingle with the gorillas for a total of an hour per day, in order to protect the animals’ privacy. And only a third of the total gorilla population is ever exposed to the human interlopers. Another third is studied by scientists, and the last third is left completely wild. Miraculously, even with these restrictions, the gorillas have become Rwanda’s No. 1 tourist attraction, and tourism is commonly said to be the country’s No. 1 industry. The ecotourism fees are paying for modern schools and electricity in the villages at the entrance to the national park where the gorillas live. And the gorilla population is growing.
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rker though, I've always respected their well informed articles on conservation efforts.
over Cecil is going to get 200 more Cecil's killed. Nice job! 