TOP 10 FACTS ABOUT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS: The endangered mountain gorillas are a subspecies of the eastern gorillas, a little bit more than half live in the Virunga Mountains a range of extinct volcanoes that border the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. The reminder of the gorillas is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is the giant primate (great ape) is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla only found in East and Central Africa. It is the biggest living primate, it is larger and more powerful and has thicker, longer fur than other gorilla species allowing it to survive only in harsh environments at high altitudes and in extreme cold.
Mountain gorillas are the most threatened race of gorillas to extinction and the only gorilla species found in Uganda and Rwanda, Uganda protects over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population in the mountain slopes in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Here are the 10 facts about the mountain gorillas and the issues they are facing.
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AROUND 1,063 EXIST IN THE WILD
In the whole world, there are two gorilla species that is the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. Mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla.
Mountain gorillas are endangered species of gorillas and there are an estimated 1,063 remaining in the world according to the latest census result.
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THEY LIVE IN TWO ISOLATED GROUPS
Mountain gorillas live and thrive in the forests in East-central Africa in just two isolated groups – one in the Virunga Volcanoes, a region spanning 3 national parks in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and one in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda connecting to Sarambwe Nature Reserve, DRC.
The mountain gorillas are found in high altitude montane and bamboo forests which are surrounded by agriculture and settlements.
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WE SHARE AROUND 98% OF OUR DNA WITH GORILLAS
Mountain gorillas share around 98% of our DNA, this means that any exposure to human illnesses even a cold can have potentially detrimental impacts on gorillas so they are genetically similar to us, but they haven’t developed the necessary immunities.
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THEY’RE ONE OF THE BIGGEST, MOST POWERFUL LIVING PRIMATES
An average silverback gorilla can weight up to 180 kg and measures 170 cm tall on all fours. In contrast, female mountain gorillas weigh 90 kg and measure up to 150 cm (4’9”).
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THEY CAN EAT ALL DAY LONG
Mountain gorillas spend about a quarter of their day eating mainly plants, around 85% of their diet is made up of leaves, shoots and stems, but gorillas can also eat larvae, snails, ants and even roots, barks and rotting wood which is a good source of sodium/salt.
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mountain gorilla trekking THEY COZY UP AT NIGHT
At night, mountain gorilla groups sleep together in nests on the ground or in trees that they make from foliage. Infants will share their mother’s nests staying safe and warm.
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THEY HAVE 16 DIFFERENT TYPES OF CALL
Mountain gorillas have different types of call and these include short barks when they are mildly alarmed or curious. To intimidate their rivals, male gorillas strut with stiff legs, beat their chests and use vocalizations like roars or hoots.
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THEY LIVE IN FAMILY GROUPS
Mountain gorillas are social animals living in stable family groups of around 10 individuals with one dominant male and several females, both males and females in the group care for their infants, hugging, carrying and playing with them.
When they get older, most males and around 60% of females then leave their birth group to join another troop. This helps in preventing inbreeding.
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IN THE WILD, GORILLAS CAN LIVE TO OVER 40 YEARS OLD
Gorillas are classed as infants until they reach around three and a half years and adults from around 8 years, males between 8-12 years are called “blackbacks”. Then from 12 years old, they develop a silver section of hair over their backs and hips, earning them the name “Silverback”.
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THEY’RE UNDER THREAT
The main threat to mountain gorillas is the degradation of their habitat due to the growing population of the region, this has resulted into converting land for agriculture and competition for limited natural resources which leads to deforestation. With little other choice, people enter mountain gorilla forests to collect water and firewood, putting gorillas at risk for human contact and illness. People may also lay snares intended for bushmeat which can accidently injure the great apes.
Gorillas don’t just stay in their forests, they venture onto farmland to eat crops like maize and bananas which can cause conflict with people who need to make a living.
Gorilla tourism that isn’t well managed is another potential issue as it can impact the behavior and health of mountain gorillas.