How many mountain gorillas are left? – How many mountain gorillas live in the wild? – Gorilla trekking safari holidays
How many mountain gorillas are left? – Since their discovery in 1902, the population of the Mountain Gorillas has been on a steady decline and there are currently about 1080 Mountain Gorillas left in the world, and these can only survive in the wild. The mountain gorillas are enlisted as critically endangered, and efforts are underway to ensure that these giant primates don’t go extinct.
Where do the Mountain Gorillas live?
The Mountain Gorillas are found in their natural habitats in the Virunga region in four protected areas which are Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda. Mountain Gorillas live in the wild, and it’s rare for them to survive in captivity. click on the link to read more about mountain gorillas in the natural habitat
Mountain Gorillas threats
Mountain Gorilla population has greatly declined for a number of reasons including habitat loss to humans, and hunting. However with the setting up of the protected areas, the Mountain Gorilla population is expected to increase since the authorities take charge to protect them and humans on longer encroach on their habitat thus no more hunting.
Population census for the Mountain Gorillas
There is usually population census carried out in the protected areas to determine the number of Mountain Gorillas left. The census is however uncoordinated, and the three countries do not carry it out at the same time. This means that the accurate number of Mountain Gorillas left at any given point in time is very hard to determine. Uganda carries out the population census for the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
Difference between a Mountain Gorilla and human beings
The Mountain Gorillas are very similar to human beings; they share 98.6% of our genomes and 99.6% of our DNA. Only the Chimpanzees share a more genetic similarly with humans.
Population and distribution of the Mountain Gorillas
Mountain Gorillas live in two separate locations, the Virunga range of extinct volcanic mountains on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, and in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. Some primatologists believe the Bwindi Gorillas may be a separate subspecies but this has been not proved and these are the same Gorilla species.
Previous Mountain Gorilla population
Ever since their discovery in the early nineteenth century, the population of the Mountain Gorillas begun to decline drastically attributed to several factors including but not limited to habitat loss, uncontrolled hunting, war and civil unrest and capture for illegal pet trade yet the Mountain Gorillas rarely survive in captivity.
Current Mountain Gorilla population
The population of the Mountain Gorillas is however slowly increasing, thanks to conservation efforts and the population in the recent years increased from 620 individuals in 1989 to approximately 1080 individuals today.
How Gorilla trekking helps to conserve the Mountain Gorillas?
Mountain Gorilla trekking is one of the most desired tourist activities in East Africa, and yes this has greatly aided in the conservation of the Mountain Gorillas. The Gorilla trekking permit costs USD700 per person per trek in Uganda, USD1500 per person per trek in Rwanda and USD450 per person per trek in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Part of the amount you pay for your Gorilla trekking permit is used in the conservation and research process, another part is used to develop and educate the communities around the protected Gorilla conservation areas and to develop the infrastructure. Therefore, book your Gorilla trekking tour with Great Adventure Safaris, and help in the conservation of the Mountain Gorillas.
