Gorilla tourism is vital to Rwanda's economy: It's the third highest source of income.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Rwanda is a landlocked country, but it hasn't stopped developing. They built a high-end tourism industry around the mountain gorillas.
I think what's going on with gorillas is pretty bad. The fact is that you can buy gorilla meat in London any day you want it.
Think about it: You're trying to raise cash to save an endangered animal. You've got orphaned pandas getting 3 trillion YouTube hits, and you've got seals being clubbed over the head by roughnecks. The money flows in. But what about the poor shark?
Africa offers the highest return on investment in the world.
Gorillas are in danger of being wiped out by the Ebola virus. I feel like we have limited time to get to know them and understand them and they're going to disappear - that's terrifically sad. Wouldn't it be great if we could stop that?
Tourism is important because it can create sustainable local economies. I'd much rather have 1,000 tourists going up the Tambopata than 1,000 gold miners.
Gorillas are almost altruistic in nature. There's very little if any 'me-itis.' When I get back to civilization, I'm always appalled by 'me, me, me.'
I feel more comfortable with gorillas than people. I can anticipate what a gorilla's going to do, and they're purely motivated.
I think the only value of 'Hotel Rwanda' is the fact that it keeps the Rwandan genocide alive, but as far as content, it's Hollywood.
The more you learn about the dignity of the gorilla, the more you want to avoid people.