Understanding the Importance of Mountain Gorillas

Understanding the Importance of Mountain Gorillas is not hard. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of apes inhabiting the Virunga mountain ranges of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

They can be trekked from any of the national parks found in these countries.

Mountain gorillas share 98% DNA with humans, just like chimpanzees and bonobos, making them close human relatives.

Gorillas also have unique nose prints significant to each of them, just as humans have thumbprints unique to them.

Mountain gorillas have adapted to their environment with thick and long fur found on their bodies, enabling them to live in cold temperatures.

The major predators of mountain gorillas are humans and leopards. Disease outbreaks also affect mountain gorilla populations due to their low birth rates.

Importance of Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas are crucial because without them consuming large amounts of vegetation as food daily, there would be a disruption in the natural food chain, which could affect other animals in the area.

Gorillas are essential to the people living near their habitat because they benefit greatly from eco-tourism when visitors from all over the world come to visit these famous apes. Countries where gorillas are trekked earn a significant income from gorilla trekking annually.

Gorillas are also vital because they disperse seeds in the rain forests where they live, creating spaces for seedlings to grow and replenish the forests. This is beneficial to humans as well because they depend on this regrowth to sustain the environment.

Mountain gorillas are also essential for the study of the great family of apes, including humans. They are also important for sustainable tourism.

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking can be done in Virunga National Park in Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

This activity provides an unforgettable lifetime experience in Africa. It typically starts in the morning and can take about three hours to find the gorillas, depending on their location. After finding the apes, you will be allowed to observe them for a period of one hour.

Gorilla habituation

Gorilla habituation can be done at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. Gorilla habituation is the process of making mountain gorillas get used to human presence before they can be accessed by tourists. You can join rangers and researchers in this process, which takes 4 hours in the presence of mountain gorillas. The cost is $1500 per person.

What to carry for gorilla trekking or habituation

When planning to go for gorilla trekking in Africa, you will need to carry good waterproof hiking boots, garden gloves, raincoats, warm and long-sleeved clothes, insect repellents, drinking water, energy-giving snacks, sunscreen, and more.

In conclusion, you should make an effort to follow the gorilla trekking rules and regulations.

You will also need to obtain permits in advance.

Mountain gorilla trekking national parks also offer other tourist activities such as volcano climbing, wildlife watching, and birding.

Gorilla FAQs & Information

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