International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)
The International Gorilla Conservation Programme was formed in 1991 to ensure that the endangered mountain gorillas are conserved and protected in their natural habitats in the mountainous forests of the Virunga Massif in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Conserving mountain gorillas and their habitats means managing and confronting dangers sustainably. The organization works on reducing risks to mountain gorillas by encouraging tourism best practices, empowering communities living near the parks and advising governments to implement a reliable, concerted method to conservation policy and legislation, embedded in science.
IGCP continuously plays a standard role as the voice of mountain gorillas and their trans-border habitation and are exceptionally located to enable stewardship and cooperative action in the region.
Mountain Gorillas live in the 3 parks of the Virunga massif including Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is not under the Virunga conservation area is also a prime habitat to Mountain gorillas in Uganda with over 20 families for gorilla trekking tours.
A Unique Partnership with International Gorilla Conservation Programme
The International Gorilla Conservation Programme is a distinctive alliance of international conservation organizations, Conservation International, Fauna and Flora International and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), amalgamating forces with national and local associates to guarantee the longstanding existence of the endangered mountain gorillas.
The IGCP partnership also integrates the relevant protected area authorities of the three countries in which the organization operates from. These conservation wildlife authorities include the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN).
IGCP Mission
IGCP Mission is to secure the future for mountain gorillas.
Objectives of International Gorilla Conservation Programme
The conservation body’s objectives include to reduce the dangers to mountain gorillas and their jungle habitation by crafting extensive funding for conservation among local populations, interest groups and the overall public. Objectives also entail improving the protection of gorillas and their habitat by encouraging the appropriate government establishments to embrace a dependable, two-way approach to conservation policy and lawmaking all over the region, put in conservation science. Another objective is to upsurge cooperation between the conservation area authorities together with their regional partners.
Other Gorilla Conservation Organisations
The International Gorilla Conservation Programme is not alone in the fright for the survival of the endangered primates. The gorilla conservation efforts are also undertaken by partners including the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, The Gorilla Foundation, The Gorilla Organization, International Primate Protection League and Wildlife Conservation Society.
Others comprise of Karisoke Research Center, Born Free Foundation, Great Apes Survival Partnership, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Rwanda Development Board and Jane Goodall Institute (Hong Kong).