Conservationists in East Africa are stepping up efforts to protect mountain gorillas as the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region raises fears of cross-species transmission that could threaten one of humanity’s closest animal relatives.
Mountain gorillas share more than 98 percent of their DNA with humans, making them highly susceptible to many of the same infectious diseases, including Ebola.
Veterinary experts warn that the current outbreak has heightened concerns about wildlife safety, particularly in areas where humans and gorillas live in close proximity due to tourism and conservation work.
Veterinarian and gorilla conservationist Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka says Ebola remains one of the most serious threats capable of spreading between humans and wildlife populations.
She noted that while Uganda’s mountain gorillas have not recorded Ebola cases, previous outbreaks in the region have had devastating effects on gorilla populations in Central Africa.
According to her, more than 5,000 gorillas have died from Ebola over the past three decades in parts of Gabon and the Republic of Congo, highlighting the scale of the threat to great apes across the region.
As health authorities work to contain the outbreak first detected in mid-May, conservation organisations are also reinforcing surveillance systems in protected areas.
An NGO, Conservation Through Public Health, has provided protective equipment and digital tools to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to enhance monitoring and reduce the risk of disease transmission between humans and wildlife.
The support package includes infrared thermometers, rain gear for field teams, and smartphones to improve data collection during patrols in gorilla habitats such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
UWA officials say the equipment will help rangers monitor both animal health and visitor safety, especially as tourism activities continue in protected areas.
UWA Executive Director James Musinguzi said the tools are critical for strengthening surveillance and ensuring that both wildlife and tourists are protected during the outbreak period.
However, conservationists warn that restricting tourism entirely could have unintended consequences for conservation efforts.
They argue that tourism revenue plays a crucial role in funding anti-poaching operations and supporting local communities who live near protected forests.
Experts point to the COVID-19 period, when tourism declines contributed to increased poaching incidents, including the killing of well-known gorillas such as Rafiki of the Nkuringo group.
While the Ebola outbreak in parts of Uganda and neighbouring countries continues to spread, health officials report hundreds of confirmed cases and warn that the true scale may be larger due to delays in detection and contact tracing.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has described the current situation as one of the most severe early-stage Ebola outbreaks in recent history, with tens of thousands of potential contacts still under investigation.
As both health and conservation agencies intensify their response, officials say protecting endangered wildlife has become an essential part of managing the wider public health crisis.
