Just an update - I received a very thoughtful reply from WildLife Direct. I have written back requesting the author's permission to place the whole letter here. I am afraid if I paraphrase it will lose something, and I don't just post other's words without permission.

Samantha replied and with her permission here is her reply:

Dear Vee,
>
> Thank you for your email and your question is absolutely spot on as they
> say. The habituation of Mountain Gorillas has long been controversial.
> Certainly in the DR Congo case of the July massacre of the Rugendo family,
> it was a huge disadvantage that the gorillas were habituated. They were the
> first group of gorillas in this country to be habituated back in the
> mid-1980s, so the massacre was tantamount to someone walking into a
> children's playground and opening fire. In other words the gorillas would
> not have reacted in an offensive or threatening way. They trusted humans,
> and this made them an easy target.
>
> Having said that, I believe the only realistic way to ensure the survival of
> these imperiled creatures in this war-torn area of the world is to make them
> a source of income for the country. Last year Rwanda earned $6 million in
> direct revenue from gorilla-watching tourism, not counting hotels, other
> trips etc. Do we hear of Mountain Gorilla massacres in Rwanda? The simple
> answer is no - because they bring in money and are protected accordingly.
> Rwanda also is a completely different country to DR Congo in terms of
> stability and security, so please bear that in mind.
>
> So you see there is a quid pro quo. When peace eventually comes to eastern
> DRC, as I believe it must, the Mountain Gorillas and Virunga National Park
> will represent a significant pillar of economic growth for the region. The
> charcoal industry is worth some $30 million a year, so the fight will be
> fierce, but one that must be taken on.
>
> I hope this goes some way to answering your questions Vee.
>
> Very best
>
> Samantha
>
> Communications Director
> WildlifeDirect
> www.wildlifedirect.org
> Democratic Republic of Congo

Samantha might want to take a look at the projects of RwandaEcoTours. Edwin Sabuhoro is a member of bushdrums (Nickname: Gorillas). They are into very interesting community projects for example to convert poachers to farmers by giving them potatoes for planting.

VeeR, since you are in touch with her, maybe you wish to pass this on to her or suggest her to look at this thread, maybe she wishes to comment.

Thank you, but it is really interesting to follow up.

Carsten