Mountain Gorillas and COVID 19.

The saying goes that humans and mountain gorillas share more than 98% of our DNA, meaning that they are biologically identical to us. Because of this, gorillas have an extremely high chance of catching the new COVID-19 virus. Scientific data demonstrates that nearly all human respiratory infections can affect mountain gorillas.

One Gorilla with the Infection of covid 

Eight western lowland gorillas at the San Diego Zoo were identified as having COVID-19 in January 2021. PCR testing indicated a positive result. It’s thought that contact with a gorilla keeper caused the virus. It is said that the keeper was infected at the time of exposure but was not yet exhibiting clinical symptoms.

It has been determined over time that human-to-mountain gorilla transmission of disease is a possibility. There is an unending list of people who are close to the great apes. These consist of villagers, poachers, trackers, porters, caretakers, guides, rangers, and even visitors. Additionally, there is daily interaction between humans and gorillas in addition to human-to-human contact. Human respiratory viruses have been found in humans and habituated gorillas recently. And these represented a strong indication of a human-transmitted disease across species.

A disease like COVID-19 could have disastrous effects if it spreads among gorillas and results in a notable illness. causing the extinction of a subspecies or a region. It should go without saying that gorillas are highly vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus and require extensive protection. Since the pandemic began a little more than two years ago, significant conservation measures have been taken to safeguard the critically endangered mountain gorillas. To maintain safety in the long run, these conservation efforts must continue, and certain laws must be reinforced. For example, because wearing a facemask is now required, we should all make sure that we wear them correctly. Additionally, the prior 7-meter minimum viewing distance for the gorilla encounter was raised to a 10-meter minimum lately.

It is our responsibility to ensure gorilla safety.

We have a responsibility to protect mountain gorillas. Consequently, everyone is expected to abide by the anti-COVID-19 measures. Reducing interaction, particularly between humans and gorillas, is one of the best ways to ensure the safety of mountain gorillas, if not the best option. This would prevent viruses from spreading from possibly afflicted humans to the great apes. The good news is that eight individuals are still permitted to visit a gorilla family each day.
Here are a few more suggestions to keep in mind and protect mountain gorillas from COVID-19. Although it appears that the majority of these have been used for some time, here they are.

Do not visit the gorillas and notify my tour guide or park personnel if I have an infectious sickness, such as the common cold, the flu, or symptoms of fever, diarrhea, sore throat, or cough;

If I need to cough or sneeze during the appointment, I should turn and cover my mouth and nose with my shirt sleeve.

consent to using a surgical mask and disposing of it appropriately while seeing gorillas in parks where this is required;

Make sure that all of the equipment is spotless before going to see the gorillas.

Agree to a one-hour maximum visitation period with the gorillas. And proactively remind the tour leader and other guests to abide by this regulation.