Mountain gorillas in Africa are some of the most endangered species. There have been so many efforts by both local and International NGOs and Conservation agencies to help in restoring the population of these endangered gentle giants.
In Rwanda one of the research and conservation programmes is located in Karisoke – the Karisoke Research Center which focuses not only on the mountain gorillas but also wildlife species in the Volcanoes national park.
The research center which was headed by Katie Fawcett is now going to be headed by the first local Mr. Felix Ndagijimana. Since its inception the center has never been headed by any Rwandan local.
Mr. Felix has represent the Karisoke Research Center in different conference and has Masters degree from Oxford Brookes University in Primate Conservation as well a Bachelor of Science from the University of Mysore, India in Microbiology.
Mr. Felix Ndagijimana has worked at the center has the deputy director since 2008. The center is under the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. He becomes the first Rwanda to assume this office and will be responsible for overseeing activities such as research on the mountain gorillas as well as other wildlife species in the Volcanoes national park. The Karisoke Research Center has research assistants, anti-poaching personnel as well as the mountain gorilla trackers all of who will be under the supervision of Mr. Ndagijimana. He will also be responsible for the oversight of the education and health programs offered by the research center to the local communities surrounding Volcanoes national park.
Clare Richardson the president as well as the Chief Executive officer of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International said they were very happy with the appointment of Mr. Ndagijimana as the head of the Karisoke Research Center. Mr. Felix has spent many years working with the mountain gorillas and Richardson acknowledged the experience and expertise that Felix has acquired regarding the behavior of the mountain gorillas as well as their habitat. He also noted that Mr. Felix has exhibited natural leadership qualities and was able to lead the staff as well as carry out all the programs of the Center. -Â Gorilla Safari
His appointment came at a historic – moment on the date when Doctor Dian Fossey would have made 80 years – 16th January 2012. In 1967, the Karisoke Research Center was founded by Dian Fossey who was unfortunately killed by a group of rebels.
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International was first called the Digit Fund but was renamed after her death to the Diana Fossey Gorilla Fund International and is dedicated to the protection of mountain gorillas and their habitat through out Africa.
You can find some Uganda gorilla tracking packages as well as Rwanda gorilla safari packages on this gorilla tours website – www.toursgorilla.com
