Are mountain gorillas endangered? The endangered mountain gorillas occur in only 4 destinations: Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda), and Virunga National Park (Congo).
Between 2015 and 2016, a survey on mountain gorillas was conducted in the Virunga Massifs. According to the survey, about 604 mountain gorillas were recorded in the Virunga Region as opposed to 480 in 2010.
Earlier, the endangered mountain gorillas were among the species that were expected to go extinct. Amazingly, there has been an increase in mountain gorilla population in the wild. The mountain gorilla population currently stands at 1063 and they occur in only Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
Mountain gorillas are a sub-species of the Eastern gorillas and they are different from the western gorillas. The western gorillas occur in West and Central Africa. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists mountain gorillas among the endangered species. These apes are endangered species considering the many threats they still encounter in the wild.
Mountain gorillas live in only tropical forest parks. Their habitats continue experiencing pressure due to the demand for space for settlement, timber, firewood charcoal trade, etc.
An increase in the human population adjacent to gorilla national parks results in high demand for resources. These protected areas are renowned for their fertile soil that supports crop cultivation, and because of limited space, residents are forced to clear some portions for farming purposes.
The spread of human infectious diseases puts the lives of the rare mountain gorillas at risk. These apes are some of the humans’ relatives in the jungles, sharing about 98% of their DNA. This makes them susceptible to infectious human diseases including cough, flu, etc. On actual gorilla trekking, ill/sick visitors are not allowed to visit a gorilla family, and this measure is intended to ensure that they are safe from any infectious diseases. Also, trekkers are recommended to maintain a distance of 8-10 meters away from these large apes and avoid any kind of body contact.
Poaching is a common practice affecting not only the mountain gorilla population but also other wildlife species in the wild. These apes are hunted for many reasons including the need for wild meat and the body parts that poachers sell.
War and instabilities are among the many challenges in gorilla and wildlife conservation in general. During wars, habitats are lost and the daily behavior of these species is destabilized. This may explain why the D.R. Congo’s mountain gorilla population isn’t increasing like it is the case in Uganda or Rwanda.
Mountain gorilla survival in the wild is still threatened hence the need for more collective efforts and effective conservation practices to ensure that they exist for generations. Different wildlife/park authorities have applied a variety of methods/practices aimed at conserving and protecting these endangered species.
Continuous scientific research is key in gorilla and wildlife conservation in Africa. Not only does it play a big role in making us understand mountain gorilla behaviors, but also enhances their conservation as new techniques/ideas are derived to guide conservationists.
Research and monitoring are being done not only by respective park authorities like Uganda Wildlife Authority but also by other organizations including the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, World Wildlife Fund, Fauna and Flora International, Gorilla Doctors, Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, African Wildlife Foundation, Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Organization, etc.
Adjacent to gorilla safari parks, local community residents have come up with many community-based initiatives. These projects are aimed at boosting gorilla protection and conservation. Additionally, the park authorities also give back a certain percentage to communities to support their initiatives.
Other measures that have been put in place include human-wildlife buffers, gorilla tourism (gorilla trekking/gorilla habituation), safety measures/regulations, and many others.
