A victory for Mountain Gorillas! The good news that we would like to share with you is that 1,004 wild mountain gorilla live in the wild today.
The gorilla census results released yesterday 31st May 2018 show that gorilla numbers living in the Virunga massif, have increased to 604 individuals in 2016. That is an increase from 480 since the last survey in 2010.
The Virunga massif is one of the two last remaining gorilla habitats, the other being Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These are some of Africa’s top wildlife destinations. It takes a gorilla tracking safari deep into the forests to see mountain gorillas. And an encounter with the gentle giants in their natural habitat is guaranteed for travelers on a gorilla trek.
When 604 is tallied with the 2011 survey of 400 gorillas that live in Bwindi Forest National Park, it brings the total of mountain gorilla population in the wild to 1,004 individuals, the largest ever since the discovery of gorillas in 1902 in the history of the world.
The trans-boundary area of Virunga massif encompasses Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo including three national parks namely; Virunga National park, Volcanoes national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park.
It’s all thanks to Virunga Conservation Area authorities’ latest survey of gorillas and their habitat. They have been working together since the beginning of the survey in 2015.
It shows that conservation efforts are working towards saving the critically endangered apes despite major threats facing gorillas such as habitat loss, human diseases, poaching and climate change which is a call for relentless protection and conservation.
All this shows the hard work of wildlife rangers, trackers, local communities and the governments of Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo plus the support of international organizations.
Rangers and local communities are the forefront of protection of mountain gorillas hence they must be rewarded adequately. This is why there’s such a strong push to involve local communities in conservation work and tourism development.
So far going on a gorilla safari has a positive benefit it takes to back to the local communities. on your next gorilla safari, take time to go on a village walk to experience the daily life styles and culture of the local people including the BaTwa shortest people on earth.
How does these figures compare with the last surveys of gorillas?
In 1981, gorillas in the Virunga massif were as low as 242. amidst high level of threats, gorillas were increasing and in 2002, there were 380 gorillas in virunga massif and 320 in Bwindi. In 2011, there was a huge increase to 480 in virunga and 400 in Bwindi. The world’s mountain gorilla population stood at 880 both in Virunga massif and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. It has been unclear as to what is the accurate number of mountain gorillas ever since the last census was done in 2011.
This latest census however, is encouraging and provides accurate figures because the gorilla survey team has surveyed a wider area and used advanced technology including DNA samples of dung, observation and collecting data of physical signs, actual sightings and counting their nests.
Having established the number of gorillas in Virunga massif, the gorilla authorities in Uganda are currently conducting a new survey in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park which started at the beginning of 2018 and is scheduled to end in September this year.
When the Bwindi census results will be released, it is predicted that it might bring the total number to 1,150 plus gorillas.
That is great news. conservationists are compensating for what poachers did in 1980’s having plummeted the gorilla numbers to less than 500 individuals.
Although gorillas are increasing, they are still faced with habitat loss, human diseases, poaching and climate change. These threats are being dett with through tourism and local community development.
The evidence to local community development has both subtle and obvious results. some of the subtle results include the increase of snare traps and encroachment.
Since gorilla habitats are surrounded by one of the highest population densities in Africa, there’s high dependence on resources. conservationists want people to be self sufficient and this is being done entirely to reduce poverty levels through projects like revenue sharing scheme, education and skills development, food security and provision of clean water.