How many mountain gorillas are left in Africa? Ever since their discovery in 1902, there has always been a steady decline in the population of mountain gorillas and the population left is currently 1080 mountain gorillas in the world, all these can survive in the wild. The mountain gorillas are now referred to as endangered and so many organizations are working hand in hand to make sure that these giant primates don’t get extinct.

Population and distribution of mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas live in 2 separate locations, Virunga ranges in the borders of DR Congo, Uganda and Rwanda in Virunga national park, Mgahinga national park and volcanoes national park respectively. They also live in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda.  Some primatologists say that the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are different from other species but there is no proof yet and these are the same species of gorilla.

Population census of mountain gorillas

Population census is usually carried out in protected areas to determine the number of mountain gorillas left in the wild. The census is not uncoordinated because the 4 national parks don’t carry it out at the same time. This makes it hard to know the accurate number of mountain gorillas left in the wild at any given point in time. Uganda carries out population censes of mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla Park and Bwindi impenetrable national park, DR Congo carries one in Virunga national park and Rwanda carries out population census in Volcanoes national park.

Current mountain gorilla population

Mountain gorilla population is slowly increasing, all thanks to wildlife and other conservation bodies that have put in much effort and the population in the past years increased from 62 in the past years increased from 620 individuals to 1080 individuals today.

Previous mountain gorilla population

Ever since the discovery of mountain gorillas in 1902, mountain gorilla population began to decline due to several factors such as habitat loss, uncontrolled poaching, war and civil unrest and capture for illegal pet trade yet mountain gorillas who survive in captivity are rare.

Mountain gorilla threats

The population of mountain gorillas has greatly improved due to a number of reasons among which include habitat loss due to human encroachment, poaching and diseases. However with setting up of protected areas, the population of mountain gorillas is expected to increase since authorities and organizations take charge to protect them and human beings are no longer allowed to destroy their habitats or get closer to their areas hence less hunting.

Where do mountain gorillas live?

The mountain gorillas live in their natural areas in the Virunga region in 4 protected areas and these are Virunga national park in DR Congo, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda. Mountain gorillas live and only survive in the wild and it’s very rare for them to survive in captivity.

Different between mountain gorillas and human beings

Mountain gorillas are very close relatives to human beings. In fact they share 98.6% of genomes and 99.6% human DNA. Only chimpanzees share a more genetic similarly with human beings.

How gorilla trekking helps to conserve the mountain gorillas?

Mountain gorilla trekking adventure is one of the most done activities in east Africa, and yes it has steadily helped in the conservation of mountain gorillas. In Uganda a gorilla trekking permit for non-foreign residents is $700 per person per day, $1500 in Rwanda per person per day and $450 in DR Congo per person per day.

Part of the money paid for a gorilla trekking permit is used in the conservation and research purposes, another part of the money is given back to communities around the park and also educate communities and build infrastructure. Therefore, book your gorilla trekking permit with Africa Adventure Vacations and help in the conservation of mountain gorillas.