Uganda Wildlife authority on Friday 12th June arrested four men suspected to have killed a 25 year old a silverback gorilla known as Rafiki. Rafiki has been the leader of one of the most amazing gorilla families that comprised of 17 mountain members located in Nkuringo sector in the famous Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park.
The gorilla went missing on June 1 and its body was found the next day. A postmortem report revealed that Rafiki sustained an injury by a sharp object that pierced through to the internal organs on the left upper part of the abdomen.
According to a statement by Uganda Wildlife Authority, Byamukama Felix, one of the four suspects of the killing that were arrested after the postmortem was found in possession of bush pig meat and hunting tools including a rope, wire snares, spears and a dog hunting bell. He confessed to killing the gorilla claiming that it charged at him together with a colleague while they were hunting. Felix also said he had shared the bush meat with Museveni Velance and Mubanguzi Yonasi.
Located on Nkuringo hill, Nkuringo gorilla family was opened for tourism in 2004 and offers an adventurous experience to trekkers as they hike through the ragged terrain of the area. The drive from Kampala to this place takes about 9-10 hours and arriving there in comfort is the best way to look forward to the next day for the gorilla trek. Therefore consider to rent a car that is suitable for the road trip to Bwindi Impenetrable national park for your gorilla safari.
Thousands of tourists frequent this park every year to participate in the thrilling gorilla trekking in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, visitors are not allowed to visit the park for tourism purposes due to the COVID-19 pandemic for protection of these primates since they are susceptible to human infections. Since conservation efforts of these endangered primates largely rely on funds from tourism, there has been a strain in the work. However, the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers continue to monitor the park to ensure that the gorillas and the place are safe.
On the other hand, savannah parks in Uganda are now open for tourism and can be visited for a number of activities. Updates will be available once primate parks including Bwindi, Mgahinga and Kibale national parks are opened. Book for your safari by sending an inquiry to [email protected] or call us on +256-700315510
