Warning of virus threat to mountain gorillas

Conservationists are warning that Africa’s endangered mountain gorillas could be at risk from Coronavirus.

Congo’s Virunga National Park, home to about a third of the world’s mountain gorillas, is barring visitors.

Rwanda is also suspending research activities and entrance to three national parks.

Uganda has not closed its parks, saying tourists have stopped coming to the country.

Scientists say the apes are prone to some of the same respiratory illnesses as humans, and can die from a common cold.

Gorilla tourism is a key foreign exchange earner for the countries in which they live.