Mountain gorillas play a vital role in the environment. Their roles in the ecosystem can be explained in different dimensions. Gorillas are massive primates that can weigh up to 500 lbs (227 kg). Unlike other primates, gorillas spend most of their time not in trees but on the ground, feeding, grooming, and living in family groups. Gorillas are indigenous to parts of East, Central, and West Africa and only exist elsewhere in captivity, except for mountain gorillas which do not thrive in captivity.
There are only four different gorilla species, including Eastern lowland gorillas found within Central Africa’s D.R. Congo river basin, mountain gorillas found in the Virunga region and in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, D.R. Congo, and Rwanda.
Other species of gorillas include western lowland gorillas in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Angola, Republic of Congo, and Gabon, and the cross river gorillas that exist along the Cameroon–Nigeria border.
These species exist within five different types of ecosystems, depending on their geographical location; mountain gorillas and cross river gorillas inhabit mountainous forests, while western and eastern lowland gorillas tend to live in lowland tropical forests.
These massive, famous, fur-coated apes are some of man’s closest relatives and are known to be highly intelligent beings that communicate effectively using numerous vocal sounds.
Mountain gorillas are the most famous of all gorilla species, with only about 1000 individuals known to exist in the jungles of the Virunga region and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorillas predominantly live in stable groups known as families, with only one male (though some families may have more) who is the leader at any one time, alongside several females. Typically, a family can include up to 30 members, including infants, mothers, juveniles, and others. Like other wild animals, gorillas also play vital and sustainable roles in preserving the various ecosystems where they live.
First and foremost, gorillas help to balance the food chain. As grazers, they feed on shrubs, roots, stems, and leaves, which helps maintain the ecosystem. This, in turn, has a positive impact on other wildlife that shares the same area, as well as on people who depend on the environment for water, food, and other resources.
Gorillas also play a crucial role in tropical forests by dispersing seeds throughout the forest and creating environments where seedlings can grow.
Encouraging ecotourism is another significant role gorillas play. It is the most socially and environmentally acceptable and sustainable way to travel. Conservation efforts for gorillas have attracted travelers worldwide for guided treks, generating substantial revenue.
It is estimated that a single gorilla generates about $2.8 million in tourism income over its entire lifetime. This is vital for empowering local communities economically and, in turn, reducing human-gorilla conflicts and poaching.
