Mountain Gorillas

Species Description:

The Mountain Gorilla, (scientific name Gorilla beringei beringei), was scientifically discovered in 1902. It is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla. They have longer, thicker hair, longer jaws and teeth, and slightly shorter arms compared to the eastern gorilla. Adult males on average weight 160 kg and when they are between the ages of 12-15 years old they grow a patch of silver hair on their back and hips. Adult females weigh 90 kg on average. The current population is estimated to be 880 individuals.

Habitat and Range:

The mountain gorilla lives in forests high in the mountains at elevations of 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Approximately half of the species live in the Virunga Mountains, and the remainder live in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. When compared to other great apes, they have thicker fur that allows them to survive in their habitat where temperatures can drop below freezing.

Species Role in the Ecosystem/Importance:

The mountain gorilla’s diet consists of more than 100 fruits as well as pith, shoots, leaves, bark weaver ants and termites. Their diet helps to control pest populations and disseminate the seeds of the plants they eat. Without these gorilla, the balance in the food chain would be disrupted which would have a negative impact on other wildlife, their habitats and the people that depend on that environment for food, water and other resources.

Cause of Decline:

The main threat to these gorillas is people. Humans are responsible for the habitat loss, hunting, oil and gas exploration, war and instability and disease that has led to the death of many mountain gorillas. Over 100,000 people live in the areas where the mountain gorillas are found and people’s need for land has led to the reduction of the gorilla’s forest habitat. Mountain gorillas are hunted for meat as well as illegally for trophies and live infants.  European oil and gas companies have granted exploration in Virunga National park and if development does occur this could have a negative effect on the gorillas’ security. Increased tourism and more people move into the mountain gorilla’s habitat have increased the gorillas to being exposed to human diseases.

Current Conservation Efforts:

The World Wildlife Foundation’s has been working over 40 years to save the mountain gorilla and its habitats, making it one of the longest-running flagship species programs.  Efforts started in the 1970s with surveys and aid to protected areas in the Albertine Rift ecoregion. This effort became what is known as today as the International Gorilla Conservation Programme in 1991. In Virunga National Park, IGCP and WWF are working to support environmental awareness and educational initiatives, promote sustainable livelihoods, reforestation projects, as well as equipping and paying salaries for park staff. The increase in staff provides additional anti-poaching patrols of the volcanoes in the park. The efforts to save the mountain gorillas is helping. Although there are only approximately 880 individuals today, this is an increase from 620 individuals in 1989.

How to Help:

Although there is a lot being done in order to help save these gorillas, more can always be done. One of the main things that needs to be done is to spread the word! Most people are unaware that this particular species of gorilla even exists, let alone that they are even endangered. Other ways people can help is by visiting the gorillas because money earned through gorilla tourism significantly contributes to the current conservation efforts. They can also donate to WWF’s current conservation work. I strongly encourage everyone to donate if they can and to help spread the word by sharing the link below with people you know. (Donations can be made at the bottom right of the link). http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/gorillas/mountain_gorilla/

People can also help by adopting a gorilla at the following website:  http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Gorilla.aspx?sc=AWY1302WC922