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.
