The Tragic Reasons Behind Gorilla Poaching in Africa

Why are gorillas poached? Mountain gorillas are poached for numerous reasons, and we will discuss several of them in this article.

These endangered primates reside in central Africa, particularly in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

They nearly went extinct in the 19th century, and based on mountain gorilla poaching statistics, many gorillas have lost their lives at the hands of poachers.

Mountain gorilla poaching in Africa has been ongoing for a long time.

The conservation efforts led by the late Dian Fossey, an American primatologist, resulted in an increase in mountain gorilla numbers.

Fossey dedicated her life to the conservation of mountain gorillas, which ultimately led to her death in 1985.

She strongly condemned the poaching of gorillas. Gorilla poaching in Rwanda used to be rampant before Fossey’s emergence, but her work highlighted the importance of conserving these primates.

Conservationists took up the mantle of conservation after her.

Gorillas move in groups of 5-30 individuals led by a dominant alpha-male called a Silverback.

This is something you will notice when you go gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo.

The silverback controls all the group activities and dictates their daily routine.

Gorillas spend their entire day looking for food before they sleep in nests they construct daily at 6 pm.

Unfortunately, many challenges arise during their mobility. Some of them fall victim to poaching along the way, and gorillas have also been known to defend themselves and their families, resulting in the death of gorilla poachers.

National Geographic Gorilla Poaching Video

Reasons why gorillas are poached

There are several reasons why gorilla poaching continues to occur, although conservation efforts have made it increasingly difficult for poachers to access these gorillas in their natural habitat.

Some of the main gorilla poaching reasons are outlined below:

For meat

Poachers hunt gorillas for their meat, often to feed their families. Even militia groups in the Virunga Conservation Area on the DR Congo side rely on gorilla meat for sustenance.

Bushmeat trade

Gorillas have also become part of the bushmeat trade. The high value placed on gorilla meat has motivated poachers to target these endangered primates, as it can fetch a significant price due to its perceived deliciousness and demand.

Magic and charm

Certain body parts of mountain gorillas, such as hands, heads, and legs, are believed by some to possess magical properties and are used by witchdoctors for various purposes.

This belief among traditional healers has contributed to gorilla poaching.

For pets

Gorillas are sometimes poached, abducted, and illegally sold as pets to wealthy individuals, private zoos, and researchers.

Many locals have also joined poachers in pursuit of financial gain.

Traps

Gorillas can unintentionally fall victim to traps set for other forest animals like antelopes, duikers, bush pigs, bushbucks, and more due to their mobility.

Trophies

Some individuals keep dead gorillas as trophies or symbols of power, satisfying their ego.

Other Factors

Apart from the reasons mentioned above, gorillas are also subject to accidental deaths due to various lesser-known factors:

Lack of awareness

In some cases, locals may poach gorillas due to a lack of awareness about their importance to society or the country. Educating these communities about the significance of mountain gorillas can help reduce hunting.

Diseases

Gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases due to their lack of immunities, which makes them susceptible to illnesses. Sick visitors are not allowed to visit gorillas to prevent potential disease transmission.

War and civil unrest

Civil wars in Rwanda and Congo have previously posed threats to mountain gorillas, with ongoing unrest in some areas, particularly in Congo.

Natural disaster

Natural disasters such as landslides, floods, and heavy rainfall can also impact gorilla populations.

Habitat loss

Habitat loss due to human population growth forces gorillas to migrate to higher elevations, where they are at risk of diseases like pneumonia and death.

Forests are cleared for agriculture, settlement, industrial purposes, and more.

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration, particularly in Virunga National Park in Congo, has increased the risk of poaching and disease transmission among gorillas.

While measures have been taken to combat gorilla poaching, it remains a challenge.

Mountain gorillas are habituated for tourist visits, and permits are required, with varying costs in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

Uganda also offers gorilla habituation experiences, allowing tourists to join researchers and scientists during the habituation process.

Gorilla FAQs & Information

1. Why Can’t You Look or Make Eye Contact with a Gorilla?
2. Why Silverback Gorillas Fight
3. Importance of Mountain Gorillas
4. What to do when a gorilla charges on you
5. What is The Largest Species of Gorillas?
6. What is a Group of Gorillas Called?
7. What is the Mountain Gorillas Role in The Ecosystem?
8. The Mountain Gorilla Defense Mechanism
9. How to Provoke/Annoy a Gorilla
10. How Gorillas Greet Each Other
11. Do All Gorillas Become Silverbacks?
12. Do Gorillas like Humans
13. Do gorillas Eat of Kill Their Babies?
14. Do Gorillas Eat Humans?
15. Can you Tame a Gorilla
16. Can you Own a Gorilla?
17. Do Mountain Gorillas live in Families & Groups?
18. How to Protect & Save Mountain Gorillas
19. Why Gorillas Are So Strong
20. How Many Humans Does it Take to Beat a Gorilla?
21. How do you call a Baby Gorilla?
22. How Do Gorillas Sleep?
23. How Mountain Gorillas Communicate
24. The Gorilla Life Cycle
25. Do Gorillas drink water?
26. Are Gorillas friendly & gentle to humans?
27. Why do Apes, Gorillas beat their chest & sound hollow?
28. Gorilla Threats: Why Mountain Gorillas were endangered?
29. Why were Mountain Gorillas going extinct?
30. What is a Silverback Gorilla?
31. Gorilla Species: Different Kinds/Types of Gorilla & Breeds
32. Mountain Gorilla Diet
33. Mountain Gorilla Size, Average Height & Weight Measurements
34. Natural Mountain Gorilla Predators
35. Mountain Gorilla Population
36. Lifespan of Mountain Gorillas
37. Mountain Gorilla Natural Habitat
38. Mountain Gorilla Conservation Efforts
39. Mountain Gorilla Behavior
40. How to Survive a Gorilla Attack on Humans
41. Are Gorillas Dangerous to the People
42. How Gorillas Adapt to Rain-forest Environment
43. Interesting Facts about Mountain Gorillas in Africa
44. Traits, Qualities & Characteristics of Mountain Gorillas
45. How Strong is a Silverback Gorilla?
46. Best Place to See Mountain Gorillas in Africa
47. Uganda Gorilla Families
48. Rwanda Gorilla Families
49. Congo Gorilla Families