Eastern Lowland Gorilla
Threats
Civil conflict and political instability have left the Congolese National Parks network in a state of dereliction, hampering the effective conservation of this endangered gorilla subspecies. This civil unrest has contributed to additional threats from bushmeat hunters and human encroachment.
Habitat loss
© Olivier VAN BOGAERT / WWF-Canon
There are few protected areas within the eastern lowland gorilla's range. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is under severe threat from poachers and encroachment making it very difficult for park guards to patrol borders in the region. People are invading the gorilla’s home to mine coltan, an alloy used for mobile phones, in the park. In other parts of the eastern lowland gorilla’s range forests are being cleared for farming.
Hunting and trade
The trade in bushmeat which occurs over much of the eastern lowland gorilla's range may now be more of a threat than habitat loss. However, the number of gorillas killed annually is unknown. The migration of people to Kahuzi-Biega National Park has contributed to this increase in bushmeat hunting. The gorillas are sought after as food and pets and their body parts are used in medicine and as magical charms. To collect the baby gorillas as pets the parents are killed, destroying the family group.
