Are gorillas endangered : Gorillas were referred to as an endangered species due to their few numbers and their risk of extinction. The type of gorillas which are considered endangered are the mountain gorillas whose population has been steadily growing over the years with many gorillas giving birth throughout the year.
The biggest threat that the gorillas face is humans who poach and kill them and in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo where the gorillas can also be seen during a tour the gorillas are threatened as a result of war, insecurity as well as civil unrest in areas around Virunga national park.
Poaching has greatly affected the number of gorillas in the wild. This is because some poachers sell gorilla meat to different people who see it as a prestigious thing. Gorillas are also endangered because they are killed by poachers and sold as trophies across different countries.
In countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo which has political unrest, gorillas are also killed during these times which has also reduced their numbers in Virunga national park.
Information about gorillas
Types of gorillas include the lowland gorillas which can be seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lowland gorillas are divided into the eastern lowland gorillas and western lowland gorillas.
Another type of gorilla is the mountain gorilla which tends to have thicker fur as compared to other gorillas. The thick fur helps them to adapt to cold habitats and high altitudes. Silverbacks is the name given to adult male mountain gorillas which have silver on their backs.
The difference between lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas is that mountain gorillas are smaller as compared to the eastern lowland gorillas.
Gorillas can be seen in different destinations including Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and also in Mgahinga national park in Uganda.
The type of habitat that mountain gorillas live in is amidst the forests in the highland or mountainous areas which are at an elevation of about 8,000 to 13,000 feet. When searching for the gorillas in their natural habitat, tourists hike into the forest and can also enjoy seeing other primates and bird species in the forest.
The high altitude where gorillas live supports the dense vegetation and it is usually cold and cloudy in these areas. Gorillas can be seen in tropical rainforests around the three countries where they can be seen.
Some of the characteristics of gorillas include that they are very active during the day, gorillas feed on leaves, roots, shoots, and also fruits. Gorillas live in nests that they build using tree leaves among other things.
Gorillas are also known to spend most of their time on the ground and only climb trees to search for fruits. Juvenile gorillas are the ones who usually climb trees while adults spend most of their time on the ground. They are also known for their dislike of water and also rain.
Some of the reasons why gorillas are getting extinct include habitat loss whereby people and other natural factors destroy the habitats of the gorillas which makes it difficult for them to find shelter.
Another reason for the gorillas being endangered is disease. For this reason, a lot of caution is taken when spending time with the gorillas during tours when engaging in gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation. This is because gorillas can easily contract diseases from humans.
However, in countries such as Uganda over the years the number of gorillas has increased and many newborn gorillas are announced from the various gorilla families in Bwindi national park. These announcements are made by Uganda Wildlife Authority which manages the different national parks in Uganda.
It is also estimated that about 1000 individuals are left in the different locations where the gorillas can be seen that is in Virunga national park, Volcanoes national park, and also Bwindi national park.
The highest number of gorillas can be seen in Bwindi national park which has about 400 individuals. Bwindi national park is also said to have half the world’s population of gorillas making it an ideal destination to see the gorillas during a tour.
The remaining 600 gorillas can be seen in Mgahinga national park, Virunga national park, and Volcanoes national park. The experience of seeing these gorillas in the different destinations also varies because of the small difference in the habitat but it is similar in many ways.
Even with the reducing numbers of gorillas, efforts like promoting conservation, rehabilitation of young orphaned gorillas, increasing security in the parks, treating the gorillas, sharing benefits got from gorilla trekking tours with the locals and so much more are among the ways through which the gorillas and other primates are being protected.
Some of the organizations which work to protect the gorillas include the International Gorilla conservation program, Senkwenkwe gorilla orphanage, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International among others.
When it comes to spending time with the gorillas in their natural habitat, it is not a guarantee that you can see them. However, there is a 90% chance of seeing the gorillas during gorilla trekking or habituation. Certain times of the year are also recommended for seeing the gorillas including the dry season when it is less muddy and the trails are not slippery.
Other activities such as bird watching, cultural tours and hiking can also be combined with gorilla tours in the various destinations.