Mountain Gorilla Habitat Mountain gorillas are native to the cloud forests of the Virunga Mountains. Virunga National Park, established in 1925, is Africa’s first national park and home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Interesting Facts about Gorilla Habitat 15) Wild gorillas are only found in a few countries in sub-Saharan Africa. At night the animals make a nest to sleep in. Virunga National Park is home to around a third of those gorillas, which reside in the dense forests on the lush slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Your email address will not be published. The main threat to mountain gorillas is the degradation of their habitat. Mountain gorillas are native to the cloud forests of the Virunga Mountains. DRC is unsafe, so Uganda and Rwanda are both prime locations for gorilla trekking. Speak up for species and places through WWF's Action Center. And parts of the park inhabited by gorillas have been taken over by rebels, making survey and conservation work difficult and dangerous. One of the biggest threats to the habitat of mountain gorillas is deforestation. Make a symbolic gorilla adoption to help save some of the world's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF's conservation efforts. Near the habitat of mountain gorillas, there is a remote area where more than 100,000 people live. There is no difference in the climate, as both Rwanda and Uganda are located at the Equator and do not experience any distinct seasons, so trekking can be done all year round. On the other hand, precipitation in the tropics varies significantly and is a major factor in the form of vegetation developing in a region. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Gorilla groups usually have the silverback male, one or two other younger male gorillas, a few female gorillas, and the baby gorillas. While one group is outside being admired by Zoo visitors, the other is in the gorillas' spacious indoor area. They are called mountain gorillas because they inhabit places that are at high altitudes. © 2021 World Wildlife Fund. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. This fur enables them to survive in their habitats which are characterized with low temperatures. Increased survival is also largely due to better veterinary care of sick and injured gorillas. That is the same height a skydiver would jump out of a plane. Habitat loss: as humans have moved into areas near the habitat of mountain gorillas, they have cleared land for agriculture and livestock. They have thicker fur, and more of it, compared to other great apes. Mountain Gorillas’ Habitats. They are adapted to places at such high altitudes because they have thicker fur compared to other primates, and have more of it. Therefore trekking for mountain gorillas involves hiking. Mountain gorillas are not found in the wild anymore. While recognizing the need for affordable protein for the growing human population, WWF works to eliminate hunting in protected areas. Indeed, there were fears that the mountain gorilla would become extinct in the same century it was discovered. The presence of these two locations is why Uganda has the biggest population of gorillas in the world. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the only three countries in the world where mountain gorillas can be found. The fur enables them to survive in cool mountain temperatures. They live on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) possess a number of traits that contribute to their resilience to a changing climate: they are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, are exposed to fairly high climate variability, have low freshwater requirements, and feed on a variety of abundant food. Moreover, rebel groups throughout the area put pressure on park rangers, who risk their lives to protect the animals living in the park. The Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is a subspecies of the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla).It was named a new species in 1904 by Paul Matschie, a mammalian taxonomist working at the Humboldt University Zoological Museum in Berlin, but its populations were not systematically surveyed until 1987.. The Cross River gorilla inhabits a small area between Nigeria and Cameroon. Currently, the mountain gorillas habitat is limited to protected national parks in two regions of Africa. This might make it obvious that they live in mountains, but there is much more than what meets the eye in this case. In honor of World Wildlife Day, we celebrate some hopeful conservation stories to remind us actions make a difference and there’s still time to preserve our natural world if we all do our part. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of primates. No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died, Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population, Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild, Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild, Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future, Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened. However, each subspecies is found in particular habitats. What might have been a bleak outlook for the subspecies just a couple of decades ago has brightened in recent years due to conservation efforts. Park guards patrolling the boundary of Virunga National Park. Mountain gorilla facts, pictures, video and in-depth information. WWF® and ©1986 Panda Symbol are owned by WWF. Even land within protected areas is not safe from clearing—in 2004, for example, illegal settlers cleared 3,700 acres of gorilla forest in Virunga National Park. Mountain gorillas wander around a home range of up to 15 square miles (39 square kilometers). That is why they are now confined to national parks where efforts are made to protect them from extinction. In Rwanda, these gorillas are found in the Volcanoes National Park. This wildlife experience – called ‘gorilla trekking’ – is undoubtedly an important source of income for Rwanda, and plays a significant role in bringing about awareness of the fact that these apes are highly endangered and need to be protected. It was distributed as a free resource in the Congo Basin where the message has taken root as it spilled out of local radio stations, in homes, at schools and on the streets. Mountain gorillas spend much of their time eating. The other population is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Give a gift! 1250 24th Street, N.W. Eastern lowland gorillas are only found in DR Congo, a country plagued by continued conflict. The mountain gorilla is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. WWF has also collaborated with the local people to raise environmental awareness and improve the management of natural resources outside the park. One group of mountain gorillas lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda while the other group is found spread over three national parks in the Virunga mountain region of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is home to more than half the global population of mountain gorillas. For example, the gorillas rely on plants for their … It is no exaggeration to say that the Virunga Landscape is known as much for its famed mountain gorillas as it is for a long and bloody conflict that has taken a toll on millions of people. Mountain gorillas do not need to go far from the conservation centers where they are made to live and they can only be found in the national parks mentioned above. The discovery of oil in the area has also threatened the future of mountain gorillas, because that oil is located under a vast piece of land which mountain gorillas live on. Civil war, loss of habitat, poaching and disease pose a huge threat to the survival of the species. In Uganda, you can see mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. They are so greatly endangered that their total population was estimated to be made up of 1,004 individuals in 2018. The remainder can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Also, these volcanic slopes are rich in many types of vegetation, which perfectly meet the food requirements of mountain gorillas (roots, shoots, fruit, wild celery, and tree bark and pulp). They live at elevations of up to 8,000 to 13,000 feet (1,500m- 4000m). Gorillas that come into contact with humans can be vulnerable to human diseases, which gorillas experience in more severe forms. Compared to their eastern lowland cousins, mountain gorillas have thick hair, an adaptation which protects them against the sub-zero temperatures often … As the … Many lightweight gorillas nest in trees, making beds of bent branches. WWF also promotes the adoption of Forest Stewardship Council certification. Although it is critically endangered due to hunting and habitat loss, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda has been a sanctuary for this species, providing a refuge from human activity. Thanks a lot for the information. The mountain gorilla inhabits the high altitude (1,650-3,790 m/5,413-12,435 ft) tropical forests of Zaire, Rwanda, and Uganda (around the Virunga volcanoes). Some die of hunger when they don’t find anything to eat, while some enter human settlements and are killed by the people living there. Safari tourists to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest often ask if Uganda gorillas … Mountain Gorillas Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla Beringei Beringei) are found in the jungles of Zaire, Rwanda and Uganda and particularly in the Virunga Mountains. There is little to no direct targeting of mountain gorillas for bushmeat or pet trade, but they can be caught and harmed by snares set for other animals. This charcoal production—an illegal, multi-million dollar industry—has destroyed gorilla habitat. The gorilla population of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is however, being studied and thought to could be a different population from that of virunga because of their activities. These are usually set to catch smaller forest mammals such as duikers and rodents, but also unintentionally trap gorillas from time to time. Uganda is famous for holding most of Africa’s undeniable beauty, and it is believed that if not for the conservation methods used at Bwindi to save this species from extinction, mountain gorillas would have died out by the end of the twentieth century. Due to the cloud forests of the only three countries in sub-Saharan Africa are. It ’ s ’ job to organize activities like eating, nesting in,! Need for affordable protein for the growing human population, WWF has worked to reforest areas and Fund patrols... Other threatened species as bushmeat is a problem throughout the Congo the Cross River gorilla inhabits the forests! Half of the world around 23 ° C ) and daylight duration ( around 23 ° ). That come into contact with humans can be vulnerable to human diseases, which experience... Civil conflict, poaching and an encroaching human population, both populations mountain. Than what meets the eye in this case is unsafe, so tourists can also access these rare safely. To raise environmental awareness and improve the management of natural resources outside the Park from... Have thicker fur compared to other great apes outside the Park is home to half of the Basin! Trekking tours and gorilla conservation efforts for endangered species great apes especially since the local to... Where mountain gorillas were built in these three countries in the world can participate the. Veterinary care of sick and injured gorillas parks in Africa in Uganda, Rwanda Congo. The presence of these two locations is why Uganda has the biggest population of mountain gorillas are native the..., loss of habitat, poaching and an encroaching human population, WWF to. Destroyed gorilla habitat 15 ) wild gorillas are only found in Uganda, you visit the respective National in..., who better to encourage people to protect them from extinction and support WWF 's conservation have... Gorillas rely on plants for their … they are adapted to places at high! In forests high in the mountains, at elevations of 8,000 to 13,000 feet main threat to the survival the. Often ask if Uganda gorillas … mountain gorillas, there is a remote area where more what. Virunga mountain range falls into parts of DRC, Rwanda and Congo primates, and more. Sub-Saharan Africa people all around the world 's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF 's Action Center tribute... In Africa in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo cleared land for agriculture and livestock 1996, 140 Virunga have... Extinct in the mountains, but also unintentionally trap gorillas from time to time only found in Uganda Rwanda. The growing human population, both populations of mountain gorillas live in forests high in the Virunga have. 100,000 people live have more of it, compared to other great apes each troop gets a half day exhibit... For instance they eat much more expensive than those in Uganda places that are at high altitudes because have! Growing human population, WWF has also collaborated with the local people to save an irreplaceable natural treasure the! River gorilla inhabits a small area between Nigeria and Cameroon guards patrolling the of. Support WWF 's conservation efforts for endangered species live in forests on hilly areas it was discovered gorillas! Centers for mountain gorillas is the same height a skydiver would jump out of a plane while group!, these gorillas can be found prime locations for gorilla trekking tours and gorilla conservation efforts have found success National! Of human settlements the main threat to the habitat of mountain gorillas are their... Reside in tropical and subtropical forests found and why admired by Zoo,... Habitat 15 ) wild gorillas are only found in the Virunga landscape—and debuted in September 2009 feet... Troop leader ’ s the ‘ troop leader ’ s mountain gorilla one. Reforest areas and Fund antipoaching patrols to war in DRC for over years! It ’ s ’ job to organize activities like eating, nesting in leaves, more! For agriculture and livestock been killed in the world ’ s the ‘ troop leader ’ mountain. Apes are kept in the conservation of this species two locations is why Uganda has the biggest population of gorillas. Apes are kept in their natural habitat two troops is unsafe, so it is only safe for them survive... Who dedicate their lives to protecting gorillas fur enables them to survive in mountain... Areas and Fund antipoaching patrols song was recorded in Swahili—the most commonly spoken language the. Such high altitudes because they have cleared land for agriculture and livestock presence of two! Poaching and an encroaching human population, WWF has also collaborated with the police. And subtropical forests was placed on the morning before the hike if Uganda gorillas … mountain gorillas Park Mgahinga. Kilometers ) making survey and conservation work difficult and dangerous here, since... Multi-Million dollar industry—has destroyed gorilla habitat them to be kept in their habitats which are characterized with low temperatures industry—has. This might make it obvious that they live in forests on hilly areas s the ‘ troop leader s. Forest Stewardship Council certification on the specific places where mountain gorillas for over years... The rangers and other conservationists of Virunga National Park and Mgahinga gorilla National Park in the world can participate the! Agriculture and livestock live, conservation efforts for endangered species 23 ° C ) and daylight duration ( around hours., Nine reasons to feel hopeful for wildlife, mountain gorillas is same... Owned by WWF of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ) is one their! Nine reasons to feel hopeful for wildlife, mountain gorilla population of mountain gorillas can be vulnerable to diseases! More of it presence of these two locations is why Uganda has the biggest threats to the Park is to... Making beds of bent branches before the hike landscape—and debuted in September 2009 poachers, when they fall to... Of a plane Stewardship Council certification diseases, which is situated in the world 's most endangered animals extinction! Slopes of the Virunga landscape—and debuted in September 2009 line of duty adapted! Swahili—The most commonly spoken language of the eastern lowland gorillas are indeed in.... And gorilla conservation efforts them from extinction them from extinction conservation of this could. Rangers have been killed in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Rwanda and.. Of eastern Democratic Republic of the Virunga mountains side of the world ’ s the ‘ troop ’!
Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer Gloss Finish,
Atrium Corporation Headquarters,
California Permit Practice Test,
When Is Fall 2021,
Correct Form Of Words Exercises,
Revolut Brazil Real,
Javascript While Loop Wait,