Why Are Mountain Gorillas Endangered and What Threats Do They Face? Mountain gorillas are intelligent animals living in the tropical rainforests of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They are the most endangered primates on Earth. Below are the threats they face:
- Habitat Loss: Mountain gorillas are greatly affected by habitat loss caused by expanding human settlements, deforestation, and the need for farming land. This has destroyed their natural homes, leaving the gorillas homeless.
- Hunting: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, many people kill mountain gorillas for meat, which reduces their population.
- Wildlife Trade: Mountain gorillas are captured and sold in wildlife trade. This is harmful as it lowers their numbers in the wild.
- Diseases: Mountain gorillas are closely related to humans, so diseases that affect humans, like the flu and other contagious illnesses, also harm them. These diseases have caused gorilla deaths and reduced their population.
- Wars: Wars in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo have led to the killing of gorillas, further decreasing their population.
- Conservation of Mountain Gorillas: The governments of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, together with wildlife conservation organizations, have worked hard to protect the endangered mountain gorillas.
Conservation efforts include:
- Relocating communities, like the Batwa in Bwindi, out of the forests to allow mountain gorillas to live peacefully in their natural habitat.
- Promoting alternative energy sources, such as biogas, to reduce charcoal burning in forests.
- Using the money earned from selling gorilla permits to fund conservation programs.
- Establishing tourism police to protect the endangered mountain gorillas.
Conservation organizations include:
- Uganda Wildlife Authority
- Rwanda Development Board
- Conservation Through Public Health
- The Gorilla Organization
- International Gorilla Conservation Program
- Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Mountain gorillas are critically endangered, but their numbers have slightly increased due to conservation efforts.
