Introduction

Around 350 of the world’s estimated 1,075 wild mountain gorillas live in the resource-rich Virunga mountains, the exploitation of which threatens the species’ very existence. Far less abundant and more beautiful than any raw material, this majestic great ape is DRC’s real treasure.

Mountain Gorilla Facts

    01
    Habitat

    The gorillas’ biodiverse rainforest environment is stratified into distinct specific vegetative zones based on altitude. Most of their time is spent near the base of the mountains, where vegetation grows more densely. The air throughout the mountain’s zones is moist and misty, leading them to be known as cloud forests.

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  • 01
    Habitat

    Over one third of the global population of mountain gorillas live on the lush slopes of the Park’s dormant volcanoes. Compared to their eastern lowland cousins, mountain gorillas have thicker hair, an adaptation which protects them against the sub-zero temperatures often encountered at altitudes of 7,000 to 14,000 ft (2,000 to 4,000 m).

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    • 02
    Behavior

    Challenges to dominant silverbacks are met with impressive displays of strength and aggression, including charges, chest-beating, and vocal intimidation. Despite this, gorillas generally reside in a state of calm, subsist on a mainly herbivorous diet of roots, shoots, fruit, bark, and pulp, with about 0.1% coming from invertebrates.

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  • 02
    Behavior

    Like most primates, mountain gorillas are social animals. They live in groups of fascinating complexity called troops or bands, led by a dominant alpha male known as a silverback. The silverback protects its members and directs troop activities such as nesting, feeding and migration between seasonal feeding areas.

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    • 03
    Physical Characteristics

    The streak of silver hair, after which mature males are named, develops following adolescence. Gorillas walk on their knuckles, have dark brown irises encircled by black rings, and possess unique nose prints. Adult mountain gorillas, as well as having thicker and longer fur, tend to be smaller than other subspecies.

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  • 03
    Physical Characteristics

    After nearly nine months of gestation, infants enter the world weighing just 4 lbs. From four months they begin clinging to their mothers’ backs, remaining there for two or three years. Despite beginning life so small, adult males typically weigh 430 lbs and can stand five feet tall.

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  • A baby mountain gorilla with a tree branch in its mouth
    Veggie Giants

    A mountain gorilla’s mainly plant-based diet is made up of 142 varieties of leaves, stems, shoots, and fruits.

  • Photo of mountain gorilla family taken by Brent Stirton
    Super Troop

    Mountain gorillas normally live in groups known as troops, which are led by a dominant silverback. The largest group ever encountered was 65 members strong.

  • Baby gorilla looking out into the distance
    Gorilla Language

    Gorillas are incredibly communicative creatures. They use facial expressions, calls, postures, and gestures to convey their intentions and feelings.

  • 06-08-2013 – PNVi – Gorilles – Brent Striton (2)
    Gorilla Love

    Despite their reputation as aggressive and dangerous, mountain gorillas are known to be emotionally intelligent. They have been observed grieving lost family members, touching noses to greet one another, and singing when a particularly lush nesting site is discovered.

  • A silverback mountain gorilla in its natural habitat
    Flying the Nest

    Gorillas regularly migrate between troops, a behavior which prevents inbreeding and allows subordinate silverbacks the opportunity to lead a troop and thereby mate with females.

  • Young mountain gorilla and its parent in their natural habitat
    Long Live Gorillas

    Gorillas can live for up to 40 years in the wild. In captivity, they have been known to reach 50 years of age.

  • Close-up of an endangered mountain gorilla and its unique nose print
    Heads or Tails

    Gorillas can be identified by observing an unlikely part of the head, with each individual having a unique noseprint. The species is distinguishable from most other kinds of primate by having evolved without a tail.

  • Caretaker lyging with a mountain gorilla taken by the photographer Brent Stirton
    Our Virungan Cousins

    Gorillas are one of our closest relatives, with humans sharing 98.3% of our DNA with the primate.

  • 06-08-2013 – PNVi – Gorilles – Brent Striton (1)
    Back from the Brink

    In 1997 there were as few as 320 wild mountain gorillas. Conservation efforts have increased numbers to around 1,000 individuals, lifting the animal out of the IUCN critically endangered category into endangered.

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