Whether the black Rhino or the mountain gorilla: With the Corona-changed crisis for the animals in African nature reserves, much. There is more peace and space, because the tourists stay away. However, in the medium term, threatens great danger.

Johannesburg (Reuters) - lions on the streets, Golf courses, exploratory elephants: In the Corona-crisis and strip many of the animals in the wildlife parks of Africa, or that you avoided, but now deserted places around. Clearly makes itself felt, that of tourism was abruptly stopped in their tracks.

What may be for the wild animals is pleasant, is for the protection of species of concern: Many protection projects threatened now. "The Eco-tourism is for the long-term protection of species of endangered animals is extremely important," emphasizes the African Conservation Foundation.

nature is by Corona-crisis weakened

The week-long Lockdown not only the economies in Africa in the knees, but also the conservation between Kenya or South Africa. Because of the public funding of Rangers, Anti-poaching units or protection and breeding programmes are important and Eco - Safari tourism drops due to the current travel restrictions in 2020, largely flat. This is true for Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo, as well as for Madagascar and other countries.

The financial crisis threatened in the course of Corona, which has been built up in long years of tedious. Also many private initiatives of Lodge operators are at risk. "We Lodge operators have to take care of us in the year of the Corona-crisis, first of all, to the diet of our many employees and their families," explains Anke Cowan of the Kafunta Lodge in Zambia. In order to keep a mitgegründetes project in the Luangwa valley in the life, fins straight from the Rotary Club of Meerbusch, Germany, € 20,000 in donations.

Online-offers in the Kruger national Park

Many companies try to reinvent themselves. South Africa's Ranger training facility EcoTraining offers since mid-June Online courses. "As a response to Covid-19, we were forced to tread new paths, in order to remain relevant," it says. Also, the tourism Magnet Kruger national Park, tried with Online and in-wild-animal-Videos to maintain interest, before he could open the beginning of June for day visitors.

From the state is wait for help. Many African governments, which are struggling already with a lack of tax revenue, you need to redeploy the scarce budget funds for the fight against Corona. Since protection is hardly anything left. For additional danger for the animals is that Hunger concerns in the Wake of the crisis, more and more people - hence, the temptation to hunt protected wild animals is growing.

poaching is increasing

In the Bwindi impenetrable rain forest, a national Park in southwestern Uganda, was just killed a mountain gorilla. "Since the Covid-19-Lockdown, there are in the Parks more poaching," says John Gesa, a spokesman for the wildlife authority, UWA. Many people in Uganda had to leave because of the Corona measures in the cities and were returned to their home villages, where they often have no work or employment and therefore poaching went. "We believe that the protection of rural communities is one of the best things we can do currently," emphasizes Les Carlisle, conservation Manager at the Lodge operator devices.

animal conservationists hope that because of the pandemic, at least in the trade in wild animal products over the long term is proscribed. According to the WWF, the Virus Transmission from wild animals to humans is only a matter of time and the risk of similar outbreaks, not for a long time banned: "at Least 7000 species of wildlife worldwide are affected by poaching and illegal trade."

Kruger national Park on Twitter

WWF Sound of Nature

Kafue River Lodge