UWA:  "Some tourists die of excitement after seeing mountain gorilla for first time"

Updated at 5.40 PM on April 24

AMBROSE GAHENE 

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officials have said that "excitement at seeing a mountain gorilla for the first time" could accelerate other health related conditions in some tourists leading to their unexpected death.

The rather shocking revelations were made at a joint press conference, held by UWA executive directors at their Head office in Kampala on April 23.

They were responding to questions relating to the death of Jean Pierre Tutian, 60, a French Tourist who died in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park recently.

Sam Mwandha, UWA's executive director said that has received reports that Tutian was suffering from heart disease but was quick to suggest that this conditions could have been exacerbated by a heart condition.

He added that: “UWA will continue to engage with Tour operators to ensure that all visitors to the parks are thoroughly briefed to minimise such incidents. We regret the incident and pray that the soul of Jean Pierre rests in eternal peace”

UWA also revealed that the four suspects in the recent poisoning of Lions in the Queen Elizabeth National

Park have been released on police bond, pending conclusion of investigations.

Mwandha said: “Four suspects have been identified and have made statements at Katwe Police Stations. They were released on police bond, as we await conclusion of investigations”.

UWA Director for Tourism and Business Development Steven Masaba said the tourism body has stepped up effort to sensitise communities living nearby national parks against grazing their domestic animals near the parks.

“We have always worked with local communities near major national parks to ensure a cordial relationship between communities and wild animals. This is through sharing of tourism revenues with these communities, as a form of

UWA corporate social responsibility”, he said.