Some
good news at last, but the threats are ever present and the huge conservation
effort must continue
November 2012. The total world population of mountain gorillas has risen to
880, according to census data released by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The
number of mountain gorillas has increased from the 2010 estimate of 786 after a
count in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The critically endangered
animals live only in two locations, Bwindi and the Virunga Massif area, which
spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.
Growing
population for 10 years
A total of 400 mountain gorillas have been confirmed to be living in Bwindi and
480 were counted in the Virunga Massif in 2010. Both populations have had
positive trends in population growth over the last decade.
"Mountain
gorillas are the only great ape experiencing a population increase. This is
largely due to intensive conservation efforts and successful community
engagement," said David Greer, WWF's African Great Ape Programme Manager.
Major
tourist attraction
Many mountain gorilla groups have been habituated to human presence and are a major tourist draw. In addition to supporting the important surveillance activities of park staff, visitor revenue has been reinvested into community projects such as wells and schools.
Many mountain gorilla groups have been habituated to human presence and are a major tourist draw. In addition to supporting the important surveillance activities of park staff, visitor revenue has been reinvested into community projects such as wells and schools.
Threats
- Snares, disease and habitat loss
The greatest current threats to mountain gorillas are entanglement in hunting snares, disease transfer from humans, and habitat loss. The prospect of oil exploration in Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park by petroleum companies is also cause for concern.
The greatest current threats to mountain gorillas are entanglement in hunting snares, disease transfer from humans, and habitat loss. The prospect of oil exploration in Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park by petroleum companies is also cause for concern.
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