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 800+ Park Rangers, who for more than 40 years have enabled close daily monitoring of the species, even in the midst of the region’s most violent events. Alongside them, Virunga trains and deploys community trackers from local villages, extending daily monitoring into areas Rangers alone could not cover and strengthening ties between the Park and the communities who live closest to it.

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 the current Ebola outbreak is so grave. Virunga’s teams have received specialized training to protect mountain gorillas from infection, and the Park is actively involved in containing the outbreak’s spread across the region. To date, all monitored gorilla families and field personnel remain healthy.

  • 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
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    Human Habituation

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

    Photo credit: Brent Stirton
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    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 mountain gorilla population in Virunga National Park is now estimated at more than 380 individuals, compared with 286 recorded during the last comprehensive census conducted in 2015–2016.

In 2026, Virunga’s teams monitor approximately 265 gorillas across 11 families daily. Between 2017 and 2026, the monitored groups recorded 111 births and 25 deaths, averaging about 12 births per year.

Monitoring data show an annual growth rate of 4.4 to 4.7% among the groups monitored daily, compared with approximately 0.7 to 0.9% among non-habituated groups. This highlights the importance of close monitoring, which allows teams to track changes in the groups, their health and social dynamics, and quickly detect situations that could affect their survival.

On the ground, every day

  • 11 gorilla families monitored daily

  • 59 community trackers alongside Rangers

  • ~3,000 patrols per year in the gorilla sector

  • ~25,000 kilometres covered per year

  • 365 days of monitoring per year

Gifts That Give Back to the Wild

  •

    A Century of Conservation

    Celebrate 100 years of Virunga with our commemorative anniversary book – every copy helps protect Africa’s oldest national park.

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  • Origins Chocolate & Coffee

    Indulge in our collection of artisan chocolates, crafted from the finest cacao grown in the fertile volcanic soils of the Virunga region.

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  • Virunga's Women Workshop

    Discover the beautiful handcrafted products made by the talented women artisans of Virunga’s Women Workshop.

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