Want to know why mountain gorillas were going extinct? A mountain gorilla is a great ape and one of two subspecies of the eastern gorilla – the mountain gorilla and the Grauer’s gorilla, arguably the largest of the world’s living primates. Mountain gorillas currently inhabit the protected national parks in two distinct regions of Africa.
One population of gorillas dwells in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda, and the other population is spread across the three national parks in the Virunga ranges – a region covered by eight volcanoes spanning the borders of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda.
With so few individuals in the wild, estimated to be about 1000 according to the 2018 gorilla census, the mountain gorilla is no longer listed as “critically endangered” but is still categorized as “endangered”. Half of this population lives in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, while the rest inhabit the Virunga Conservation Area.
What is ironic, though, is that this massive, famed ape inhabiting East Africa’s volcanic slopes has few natural predators, if any, but PEOPLE. Not only do people threaten mountain gorillas due to habitat encroachment and poaching, but also due to violence, wars, mining, and oil exploration activities.
Mountain gorillas have also been hunted for the extraction of their body parts, which are sold to traffickers for medicinal purposes. Baby gorillas are captured and illegally sold to families as pets or to zoos and sanctuaries. There are various threats that people pose to the existence of mountain gorillas.
Habitat loss
Despite the apparent isolation of mountain gorillas in the jungles of the Virunga region, most gorilla habitats and their surroundings are still densely populated, which puts them under pressure. Increased population leads to increased exploitation of natural resources, pollution, and more. Large sections of these protected areas are cleared for human settlements, farming, firewood collection, and mining and oil exploration in Virunga National Park.
Poaching
Hunting mountain gorillas for bushmeat remains a significant threat to their survival. This bushmeat is mainly sold in big cities and regions where it is considered a luxury and exclusive meal. Hunting for bushmeat is still a common practice, especially in eastern Congo and Virunga National Park, an area that remains a territory for various militia groups.
Mountain gorillas are also hunted and captured for trophies and sold through illegal trade, which is common in Asia where some of the gorillas’ body parts are used in traditional medicine and baby gorillas are traded as pets.
Insecurity / Civil wars
The eastern section of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by wars and various rebel groups for decades. This has resulted in the loss of over 4 million human lives in the last 14 years alone.
This insecurity and ongoing political turmoil in the area puts immense pressure on Virunga National Park, placing the already endangered mountain gorillas amidst social and economic crises. Local communities primarily depend on wildlife-based tourism and natural resources for their livelihoods, so the future of mountain gorillas is closely tied to the peace and stability within the area.
Diseases / Epidemics
Due to their close relationship with humans, mountain gorillas are susceptible to contagious diseases spread by humans. Increased human contact with mountain gorillas increases the risk of diseases such as flu, cough, TB, and more. Epidemics such as Ebola, influenza, cholera, etc., in eastern Congo pose a significant threat to the survival of mountain gorillas.
Fortunately, despite the many threats to the survival of mountain gorillas, they are no longer on the brink of extinction thanks to various conservation efforts that appear to be yielding results. In fact, they are the only gorilla species whose numbers have been increasing over time, with the population now reaching 1000 individuals, up from only 620 in 1989.
