Mountain gorilla - Threats

Stranded on 'islands'

Habitat loss remains one of the greatest threats
More than 100,000 people live in the remote areas where mountain gorillas are found. Their need for land to cultivate has reduced the forest in which the gorillas live to virtual islands in the middle of expanding human settlements.

In 2004, 1,500 hectares of prime mountain gorilla habitat were cleared by illegal settlers in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to evidence uncovered by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature, one of WWF's partners. Convoys of people from Rwanda and DRC destroyed large tracts of the park, home to mountain gorillas and other endangered species, to create agricultural and pastoral land.

Killed during war
As many as 15 of Virunga's mountain gorillas may have been killed since the outbreak of civil war in 1990. Between 1990 and 1994, large numbers of Rwandan refugees fled to camps at the edge of the Virunga National Park, leading to uncontrolled firewood harvesting and increased poaching.

During this time, four habituated silverback gorillas were killed, along with some of their group members. Although the refugees left the camps in 1996, continued civil unrest and the presence of armed militias makes survey and conservation work difficult in the DRC's protected areas, which are now in rebel-held territory.

Hunting
In addition to being hunted for meat, mountian gorillas are also illegally hunted for trophies and live infants.

Disease
As more people move into mountian gorilla habitat, and more tourists come to see them, they are becoming increasingly exposed to a variety of human ailments.