Due to the rapid escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Directors of Congo Conservation Company and SPAC (Sabine Plattner African Charities) Conservation Research have suspended the arrival of all guests into Odzala Discovery Camps and Sangha Lodge. The suspension is effective from Monday 16th March to Thursday 7th May 2020 with the clear purpose of protecting both the vulnerable local human populations in these remote and isolated areas as well as the Western lowland gorillas. The suspension end date will be reviewed in the second week of April.
This decision has been taken after extensive consultation with the IUCN Section of Great Apes and adheres to IUCN Best Practice Guidelines for Health Monitoring and Disease Control in Great Ape Populations.
Odzala Discovery Camps have guests coming from all over the world, many of whom are arriving from countries affected by the pandemic. With the current protocol of wearing masks and keeping a minimum of 7m distance, the probability of gorillas getting infected directly by a tourist is not high. The more likely scenario is that a tourist could infect one of our staff and the infection then spreading into the local villages. This would put our staff, community and gorillas at risk.
‘As leaders in great ape health and conservation, we must be resolute in rallying governments, policymakers, conservation practitioners, researchers, great ape tourism professionals and funding agencies to commit to the needed discussions and actions to substantially reduce the risk of our activities leading to the introduction of COVID-19 to endangered ape populations and local communities’, said Magdalena Bermejo Director SPAC Conservation Research
Paul Telfer, CEO of Congo Conservation Company - 'This period of 7 weeks without guests during the pandemic, will not only help to diminish the above mentioned risks but also allow us the time to improve and implement short and mid-term strategies that ensure adequate health checks. We remain committed to providing a deep connection to the raw beauty and exceptional wildlife in the Congo Basin for many more generations to come and look forward to welcoming future adventurous travellers to Odzala Discovery Camps'
