In the wake of Coronavirus pandemic that has shaken the World, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has issued a public notice that suspends research and tourism activities in three of the four national parks in the country. The parks where tourism activities have been suspended are; Volcanoes, Gishwati-Mukura and Nyungwe National Parks are home to many primates that are susceptible to infections. Gorillas and chimpanzees are known to be susceptible to infection with human respiratory pathogens, reads part of the statement from RDB. The notice added that the measures were put in place to curb the spread of Coronavirus pandemic among the wildlife. Starting tomorrow, Saturday 21st March, 2020, tourism and research activities in @NyungwePark, @VolcanoesPark and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks will be suspended until further notice as a preventive measure against the transmission of #COVID19. More below. pic.twitter.com/DSvSYZOMZB — Rwanda Development Board (@RDBrwanda) March 20, 2020 The suspension which takes effect on March 21 however, doesnt affect Akagera National Park, the countrys biggest and home to the Big 5. Akagera will remain open to visitors with the Ministry of Healths covid-19 monitoring measures. Known to have close traits as humans, gorillas the latest count shows there is approximately 1,000 gorillas in the wild, with 604 in the Virunga Massif, at the latest count. On another hand, Nyungwe National Park has the highest population of chimpanzees-over 400 individuals- and other 12 primates species while others can be found in Gishwati-Mukura national park. Having contributed 14.8 % to the GDP, the sector is among the greatest contributors to the economic development of the country.
