The Mountain Gorilla (species: Gorilla gorilla beringei) is one of the most endangered species in the world. Gorillas are one of our closest relatives if not the closest, sharing 98% of our genome. Only some 600 of these magnificent creatures survive today, with about half in the Virunga reserve and half some 40 Km (25 miles) to the north in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest reserve in Uganda (see map below). The study of the Mountain Gorillas in the Virungas dates back to their discovery by a German Army officer establishing the boundary of German East Africa in 1902. A specimen that he shot in the Virungas was returned to Europe and became the first Mountain Gorilla known to science.
In 1959 scientist George Schaller published his book "The Year of the Gorilla" which documented the first scientific research done in the area.
They are gentle creatures, who inhabit the montane cloud forest of the Virunga range. Occasionally they go into the Afro-Alpine meadows (4,000 meters) where temperatures are subfreezing at night and there is little suitable food to forage on. They eat the roots, leaves, stems, and pith of herbs, vines, shrubs, and bamboo. Gorillas spend about 30% of the day feeding, 30% traveling, and 40% resting. They make nests to sleep and rest in that can be in trees, on steep slopes or on the ground.
They are severely threatened by poaching, loss of habitat, human disease, and war. Accidents from snares set for black market antelope meat can result in the loss of a hand or foot, and the resulting blood poisoning from injuries can be fatal.
An important feature of Mountain Gorilla conservation is the fact that none have ever survived in captivity. If this species is to continue, a viable home must be protected in the Virungas and Bwindi. This is our goal.
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