As per 2024, the mountain gorilla population has grown to 1,063, up from the recorded 1,004 individuals in 2018.
You too can increase this number by gorilla trekking in Africa.
Most of the money got from gorilla permits is channeled towards conservation.
Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of Eastern gorillas that inhabit the Virunga Mountain Range, spanning across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda.
Mountain gorillas were on the brink of extinction in the 19th century but survived due to the conservation efforts of the great American primatologist Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to the conservation of mountain gorillas and tragically lost her life in 1986 in Rwanda.
Mountain gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, making them close relatives of chimpanzees.
They have unique nose prints, similar to how humans have unique thumbprints.
These gorillas live in higher elevations on volcanic mountains and have thick, long fur that helps them adapt to the cold temperatures.
Mountain gorillas live in groups of 5-30 members, dominated by a silverback gorilla that makes decisions regarding the group’s day-to-day activities.
They primarily feed on vegetation, although they occasionally supplement their diet with ants, insects, and termites.
How many Mountain Gorillas are left?
According to research conducted in 2018, there are only 1,004 mountain gorillas left in the wilderness, compared to 2010 when the population was estimated to be 786 individuals.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to half of the mountain gorilla population.
The number of mountain gorillas is believed to have increased by 26.3% in the last seven years, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.
Conservation efforts have significantly improved since 1981 when a census estimated only 254 individuals in the wild.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the population indicated a 6% increase in 2006 compared to 2002, and it is said to have increased by 12% from 1997 to 2006 in Bwindi Forest National Park.
The mountain gorilla population is estimated using traditional methods of collecting dung samples from nests.
It has been found that gorilla families habituated for research experience higher population growth than unhabituated mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas were removed from the list of critically endangered apes but still depend on conservation efforts to survive.
They face numerous threats, including poaching, habitat loss, disease outbreaks, war, civil unrest, and more.
Where to trek Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas can be trekked in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla permits cost $700 in Uganda, $400 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and $1500 in Rwanda.
Gorilla permits in all of the above countries should be obtained three months in advance before traveling due to high demand for permits, especially during the peak season.
Mountain gorillas can be visited year-round in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, though some months are better than others.
The best times are from December to February and June to August.
Mountain gorillas live in higher elevations with cold temperatures and sometimes rainfall, even during the dry seasons.
Tourists should be prepared by carrying the right gorilla trekking attire, including good hiking boots, raincoats, warm clothes, energy snacks, drinking water, sunscreens, hats, insect repellents, garden gloves, and more.
Gorilla FAQs & Information
- Why Can’t You Look or Make Eye Contact with a Gorilla?
- Why Silverback Gorillas Fight
- Importance of Mountain Gorillas
- What to do when a gorilla charges on you
- What is The Largest Species of Gorillas?
- What is a Group of Gorillas Called?
- What is the Mountain Gorillas Role in The Ecosystem?
- The Mountain Gorilla Defense Mechanism
- How to Provoke/Annoy a Gorilla
- How Gorillas Greet Each Other
- Do All Gorillas Become Silverbacks?
- Do Gorillas like Humans
- Do gorillas Eat of Kill Their Babies?
- Do Gorillas Eat Humans?
- Can you Tame a Gorilla
- Can you Own a Gorilla?
- Do Mountain Gorillas live in Families & Groups?
- How to Protect & Save Mountain Gorillas
- Why Gorillas Are So Strong
- How Many Humans Does it Take to Beat a Gorilla?
- How do you call a Baby Gorilla?
- How Do Gorillas Sleep?
- How Mountain Gorillas Communicate
- The Gorilla Life Cycle
- Do Gorillas drink water?
- Are Gorillas friendly & gentle to humans?
- Why do Apes, Gorillas beat their chest & sound hollow?
- Gorilla Threats: Why Mountain Gorillas were endangered?
- Why were Mountain Gorillas going extinct?
- What is a Silverback Gorilla?
- Gorilla Species: Different Kinds/Types of Gorilla & Breeds
- Mountain Gorilla Diet
- Mountain Gorilla Size, Average Height & Weight Measurements
- Natural Mountain Gorilla Predators
- Lifespan of Mountain Gorillas
- Mountain Gorilla Natural Habitat
- Mountain Gorilla Conservation Efforts
- Mountain Gorilla Behavior
- How to Survive a Gorilla Attack on Humans
- Are Gorillas Dangerous to the People
- Why are Gorillas Poached in Africa
- How Gorillas Adapt to Rain-forest Environment
- Interesting Facts about Mountain Gorillas in Africa
- Traits, Qualities & Characteristics of Mountain Gorillas
- How Strong is a Silverback Gorilla?
- Best Place to See Mountain Gorillas in Africa
- Uganda Gorilla Families
- Rwanda Gorilla Families
- Congo Gorilla Families