Mountain Gorilla
Threats
After a decade of conservation efforts, mountain gorilla populations are slowly increasing. However, they are still faced with several threats that require much attention.
Habitat loss
A pile of wood ready for charcoal burning, stacked beside the road on the way to Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
© Kate Holt / WWF-UK
More than 100,000 people live in the remote areas where mountain gorillas are found. Their need to cultivate land has reduced the forest in which the gorillas live to virtual islands in the middle of expanding human settlements. In 2004, 3,700 acres of prime mountain gorilla habitat was cleared by illegal settlers in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Groups of people from Rwanda and DRC destroyed large tracts of the park, home to mountain gorillas and other endangered species, to create agricultural and pastoral land.
Charcoal making
In addition to cultivation of the land, Virunga National Park and it's trees are under increasing threat as a result of charcoal production sold for cooking fuel. As more and more trees are cut down to satisfy this illegal multimillion dollar industry mountain gorillas’ habitats are being destroyed.
War
Approximately 15 of Virunga's mountain gorillas have been killed since the outbreak of civil war in 1990. Between 1990 and 1994, large numbers of Rwandan refugees fled to camps at the edge of the Virunga National Park, leading to uncontrolled firewood harvesting and increased poaching. During this time four habituated silverback gorillas were killed along with some of their group members. Although the refugees left the camps in 1996, continued civil unrest and the presence of armed militias makes survey and conservation work difficult in the DRC's protected areas, which are now in rebel-held territory.
Tourists and park guards observing a mountain gorilla.
© Martin HARVEY / WWF-Canon
Poaching
In addition to being hunted for meat, mountain gorillas are also illegally hunted for trophies and live infants.
Disease
As more people move into mountain gorilla habitat and more tourists come to see them, they are becoming increasingly exposed to a variety of human ailments.Since gorillas and humans are so closely related human diseases easily affect mountain gorillas and other great ape species. Gorillas experience more severe conditions from human ailments and can even die from the common cold.
