In the face of conflict and instability, cross-border conservation efforts have led to a 73% increase in the global population of mountain gorillas since 1989. While still one of the rarest mammals on Earth, the subspecies has been reclassified from critically endangered to endangered by the IUCN.

At a time when the world’s biodiversity is suffering widespread decline, especially in the tropics, the protection of mountain gorillas and increase in their population represent a rare success story. This accomplishment arises from intense collaboration between state actors, civil society, and the private sector in the three countries where the primate is native: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Rwanda. At the heart of conservation efforts is the tireless work of more than a thousand park Rangers, who for 40 years have enabled close daily monitoring of the species, even in the midst of the region’s most violent events.

Threats & Challenges

    01
    Encroachment

    To tackle these issues, the Virunga Alliance works with local communities to develop sustainable energy and agricultural solutions, whilst striving to make Virunga National Park the foundation for the country’s rebuilding process.

    Encroachment: Charcoal Extraction

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  • 01
    Encroachment

    Loss of habitat threatens all species living in Virunga National Park; illicit charcoal production and slash and burn farming practices, undertaken for energy and income generation, are its key causes. New settlements from people fleeing conflict within the region also encroach on mountain gorilla territory.

     

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    • 02
    Poaching
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  • 02
    Poaching

    Whilst the poaching of mountain gorillas for food or medicine is extremely rare, sadly mountain gorillas are all too often caught in snares laid with the intention of capturing smaller animals for bushmeat. Thousands of snares are removed annually by Virunga’s dedicated park Ranger patrols.

    • 03
    Disease
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  • 03
    Disease

    Being close genetic relatives of ours, gorillas are incredibly vulnerable to human disease. This is why during the recent Ebola and Covid-19 pandemics the Park closed its gates to tourism, thereby shielding mountain gorillas from infection. Any gorillas that do fall ill are monitored and treated by veterinary personnel to avoid fatalities and preserve the species.

  • Photo of mountain gorilla family taken by Brent Stirton
    Listed Endangered by IUCN

    There are an estimated 1,075 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild, one third of which live around dormant volcanoes inside the Park.

  • Two mountain gorillas that need to be protected and preserved
    Threatened by Extinction

    Despite extensive conservation measures, these great apes are under threat from human activity.

  • Deforestation by charcoal extraction encroaches into the rainforest
    Illegal Mining

    Illegal mining constantly encroaches upon their habitat.

  • Illegal Agriculture in Virunga National Park
    Logging and Farming

    Illicit logging and farming push the mountain gorillas to altitudes where temperatures are potentially fatal.

  • image of endangered mountain gorilla mother and baby
    Competition for Food

    Farther up the mountains, there is also greater competition for food.

    Photo credit: Brent Stirton
  • Picture of human habituation rangers with an endangered mountain gorilla
    Human Habituation

    From infanthood, Virunga’s mountain gorillas become accustomed to humans, allowing for crucial research and medical intervention.

    Photo credit: Brent Stirton
  • Two Rangers facing the the mountainous landscape of the Park
    Rangers Risking Lives

    Without Virunga’s brave Rangers protecting against habitat exploitation, conservation of the species and protection of the Park would be impossible.

    Photo credit: Brent Stirton
  • Bamboo plantation project
    Expanding Gorilla Habitat

    The bamboo plantation project was established to enlarge the territory of mountain gorillas.

The population in mid-2021 was estimated at 350 individuals, of which 225 individuals (divided into 10 groups) are used to human presence. The species growth rate displayed in the DRC at 4.7% per year exceeds the natural rate of the species (3%) and testifies to the success of the conservation efforts led by Virunga’s Rangers.

This conservation success is the result of a so-called “extreme conservation” strategy which involves, on a daily basis, close monitoring of individuals by guards, trackers and veterinarians.

In the gorilla sector, approximately 2,200 patrols take place per year (six patrols every day on average) which help to fight against poaching and secure the habitat. Put together, over the past 5 years:

  • Rangers have patrolled 250,000km  – a distance greater than the circumference of the Earth covered each year.
  • Rangers have climbed 2,500 kilometres – the equivalent of climbing Everest each month.

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