NUMBER OF MOUNTAIN GORILLAS DOUBLES IN VIRUNGA REGION

Did you know that mountain gorillas are a few Great Apes whose population keeps increasing regardless of severe threats in the wild? Despite challenges faced by mountain gorillas in the wild, their population has drastically increased especially in the Virunga Massifs more than ever before. 1004 of them thrive on earth today compared to 880 individuals that were recorded previously. Out of 1004 individuals that exist in the world today, over 604 call Virunga Mountain ranges their home and about 400 of them live within the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The Virunga Massifs comprise of the Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda, Virunga National Park in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda. 41 families are currently present in Virunga with about 14 solitary males. This drastic increase is indeed amazing and this achievement has not just come from nowhere but because of dedicated conservationists who work tirelessly to conserve and protect the lives of these unique primates in their natural habitat and not to leave out the collective efforts from all stakeholders.

MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

This is indeed exciting a fact that about 480 mountain gorillas lived in the Virunga Massifs as it was indicated in 2010 gorilla census. The current census shows an increase of about 26% of these rare apes within just 6 years representing approximately 3.8% increase per year. Ideally, this is great success that has been registered in conservation of these apes regardless of challenges they always face especially poaching, spread of human infectious diseases, habitat loss and civil wars that claim their lives. Around 1996, mountain gorillas were listed among the critically endangered apes in the world and in the 1980s; they were not more than 250. When it comes to African safaris to Uganda, Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo, mountain gorilla safaris feature as major safari highlights in most of visitors’ travel plans.

In conclusion, this drastic increase can be attributed to the collective work to conserve mountain gorillas in the wild by respective government authorities in charge conservation of wildlife, sound and vibrant strategies, policies for conservation, tourism, community programs and other factors. However, regardless of this tremendous achievement in conservation, there is still need for more collective efforts to ensure that their number is maintained or further increase which will ensure their continuity in the wild hence a boost in gorilla tourism in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.