Gorilla Tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda: An Actor-Network Perspective

Gorilla tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, has evolved through multiple 'translations' of the gorilla's role, shaping its significance across hunting, scientific, conservation, and tourism networks. Using actor-network theory (ANT), this study reveals how gorillas transitioned from trophies to symbols of scientific curiosity, endangered species, and finally, key attractions in tourism. The research highlights the dynamic interplay between human actors and gorillas, demonstrating that gorilla tourism's permanence stems from these shifting relationships. By applying ANT's concepts of ordering, materiality, and multiplicity, the study offers new perspectives on agency in tourism, conservation, and development, emphasizing how gorillas are actively shaped by their social contexts.

van der Duim, R., Ampumuza, C., & Ahebwa, W. M. (2014). Gorilla Tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda: An Actor-Network Perspective. Society & Natural Resources, 27(6), 588–601. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2014.901459