Why are Mountain Gorillas Endangered? Mountain gorillas are a few rare creatures on the planet earth and it is of no doubt they attract thousands of holidaymakers each year who come to see, explore and experience more about them while in their natural habitat. A glimpse at a family of these massive and humble leaves many thrilled.
However, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed mountain gorillas as “critically endangered” considering a number of factors that threaten to extinction. Interestingly, hope isn’t lost yet because according the current census, the population of these fragile primates began growing and their status upgraded to ‘endangered.’
Today, the new survey indicates a rise in mountain gorilla population to 1063 individuals. These rare and fragile apes range only within Uganda, Rwanda and The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Though their population is still low, the rise in their number is an indication of positive conservation efforts. The recent survey that was carried out on mountain gorilla population in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda and Sarambwe Nature Reserve in the DR Congo accounted for 459 mountain gorillas and this was an increase from the 400 as of 2011.
Another survey that was carried out from 2015 to 2016 indicated a rise in mountain gorilla population to 604 individuals within the Virunga Massif, a chain of 8 volcanoes that extend to Rwanda, Uganda and DRC. When all the results were combined, the mountain gorilla population today accounts for 1063, a remarkable increase from 680 as of 2008.
Survival of mountain gorillas in the wild has been and still being impacted by a number of factors or threats despite the gradual increase. For long, mountain gorilla population has continuously been affected by poaching, spread of human infectious diseases, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and others. They remain threatened to extinction despite the great news in their population rise. This article therefore provides in-depth explanation as to why mountain gorillas have been
Habitat loss.
Most people live around the remotest areas where mountain gorillas exist. Too much pressure is exerted on mountain gorilla habitat as a result of high demand for land. Areas adjacent to gorilla safari parks are densely populated and locals are forced to clear part of gorilla habitat to carry out farming activities, settlement purposes. In the long run, the habitat is lost and making them homeless hence endangering their lives.
Mountain gorillas depend much on vegetation and feed less on insects. By encroaching on their habitat which puts their lives at danger. Most local residents also keep different livestock which bring about competition on limited resources.
Poaching/illegal hunting.
For the past 2 decades, about 50 mountain gorillas were killed and poaching still continues to be a major threat to the survival of these apes. This is one reason why mountain gorillas still remain endangered. While the traps set target small mammals especially forest antelopes, mountain gorillas in most cases get trapped in the process in the set wire snares.
Others hunt for mountain gorillas to extract their body parts for them to sell to researchers and others especially infants are traded as pets.
Human infectious diseases.
Human infectious diseases have continuously impacted on the lives of mountain gorillas. Their genetic DNA is 98% same to that of humans and this makes them susceptible to human infectious diseases. Like other creatures, mountain gorillas have their own diseases that are suffering from.
Addition of human infectious diseases like cold, flu puts them at higher risk. Other threats mountain gorillas still face that have made them endangered include war and instability, oil and gas exploration.
