Species Spotlight: Mountain Gorilla

Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei) silverback in Susa group, Rwanda

Questions and Answers

Where is half the world’s mountain gorilla population found?
More than half of the population live in the Virunga Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with about a third of them living in Virunga National Park.

What is the family structure of gorillas?
Gorillas live in family groups that are led by one dominant male known as a silverback gorilla because of the coloring of their coats when they mature.

How do male mountain gorillas protect their families?
Male mountain gorillas lead cohesive families, defending females and offspring from threats by charging and beating their chests.

     

    • Female Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) carrying baby on back, member of the Kabirizi group, Virunga National Park, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, Critically endangered.

      HABITAT

      Mountain gorillas are found in forests high in the mountains in Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.

    • _alt_

      DIET

      Gorillas stick to a mainly vegetarian diet, feeding on stems, bamboo shoots and fruits.

    • Guard with hand held GPS device for recording gorilla locations

      THREATS

      Poaching, diseases such as Ebola, and habitat destruction threaten the four gorilla subspecies.

    • Gorillas New Hero Image

      INTERESTING FACT

      They have thick fur, helping them to survive in a habitat where temperatures often drop below freezing.

    Learn more about mountain gorillas

     

    Species from other months

     

    How You Can Help

    Take Action

    Join us to make change. Speak up for species and places through WWF's Action Center.

    Give to WWF

    Make a gift to WWF's global conservation efforts and choose from symbolic gorilla adoptions, apparel, and more!