Where mountain gorillas are found?

A bit more than half live in the Virunga Mountains, a range of extinct volcanoes that border the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. The remainder can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The overwhelming consensus is that gorillas originated from monkeys and other apes in Arabia and Africa about 9 million years ago. In west and central Africa, eastern gorillas eventually split apart from western gorillas over a period of time (about 2 million years ago). 400,000 years ago, the eastern gorillas further divided into the mountain and eastern lowland subspecies that we know today. After the genus was initially known as Troglodytes, the name “gorilla” was chosen in 1852. The terms western lowland gorilla, eastern lowland gorilla, and mountain gorilla all originated from Colin Groves’ 1967 suggestion that separate names be given to the various gorilla species.

Where are Mountain Gorillas found?

There are just three nations where mountain gorillas can be found: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, half of Uganda’s population is there. Mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The environment, ecology, and elevation (7,200–14,100 feet) in these places are ideal for mountain gorillas to survive and prosper. High elevation, cold, and overcast weather foster lush vegetation. Eastern and Western lowland gorillas are found in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other nations in west and central Africa. Eastern lowland gorilla numbers are less than 8,000, compared to approximately 250,000 for western lowland gorillas. Because they cannot survive in captivity like the lowland gorillas, mountain gorillas are one of the reasons they are paid so much attention. There are currently 1,004 mountain gorillas left in the world, according to the most recent gorilla census in 2018. The IUCN has placed the mountain gorilla on its endangered species list as a result. In this shorter article, we have some information about mountain gorillas that you may find interesting.

Physical Characteristics of Mountain Gorillas

In contrast to the other African gorilla species, mountain gorillas are distinguished by having thicker fur. They can survive in higher, colder elevations because to this. The silver hair behind the backs of adult male mountain gorillas gives them the nickname “silverbacks.” A silverback gorilla can weigh up to 195 kilograms, but a female gorilla weighs about 100 kilos as an adult. Compared to the largest person, silverbacks are four times stronger and taller. The eastern lowland gorilla is smaller and typically weighs less than the mountain gorilla. The 267-kilogram lowland gorilla that was recognized as being the largest was killed in Cameroon. Mountain gorillas, like all other gorilla species, may be recognized by their individual nose prints. They have dark brown eyes, and their hands are longer than their legs. Mountain gorillas are capable of standing and walking erect, but they prefer the knucklewalking gait in which they support their weight with their fingertips. Only during the day are mountain gorillas active (6:00 am to 6:00 pm). Insects, shoots/stems, leaves, roots, flowers, and fruits are what they primarily eat throughout this phase to maintain their big growth. The morning is when people tend to eat the most, followed by a break around midday and then another meal as dusk falls. The opportunity for bonding during grooming to get rid of parasites and filth occurs during the midday rest period. You can see children playing, chasing one another, flipping over, and wrestling at this period. If invited, however reluctantly, adults may play the games. At all times, gang members employ barks and grants to find people hidden in the dense undergrowth. Each adult creature constructs a nest out of tree leaves and other plants when night falls. Infants and their moms share the same nest.

The majority of a mountain gorilla’s time is spent on the ground. They also erect their nests just on the ground. Only fruit-seeking adult gorillas will climb trees, and only if the tree can support their weight. The little ones are left to frequently climb trees. Falling down a slack branch of a tree is a common reason for mishaps and even fatalities in adult gorillas. Some insects and reptiles spook mountain gorillas. Caterpillars and chameleons are avoided whenever possible; however, it is unclear why. In addition, mountain gorillas detest rain and are terrified of the water. If they can cross waterways using downed trees or logs, they will. Their very stable groups are one of the characteristics that set gorillas apart from other primates. In particular, mountain gorillas are highly social animals that travel in well-organized packs headed by a dominant male.

Because of the intimate relationship between the dominant silverback and females, they are kept together for longer periods of time than other ape families. Once they reach adulthood, females have fewer bonds with one another and frequently depart to join other Gorilla groups. When they reach adulthood, females who leave the group either join another powerful group or begin their lives with a lone guy. Before settling down with one silverback, some females will frequently switch groups. A group’s dominant silverback will have the loyalty of the majority of the females for the rest of their lives. A fertile female is frequently the one to start mating in mountain gorillas. The male silverback’s primary responsibility is to protect his group from outsiders because mountain gorilla groups do not govern or inhabit specific territories. More than one silverback can be found in 36% of mountain gorilla groups. A few groups are led by an older male only, although there are also male loners. When there are only female gorillas in a group, the dominant male silverback takes the lead and is the center of attention, with the other males acting as his followers.

By acting appropriately and including him in their games if he expresses interest, everyone in the group seeks to win his favor. He decides how the gang will go and where the greatest hunting areas are. A silverback mediates disputes among the troop’s members and will fight to the death to protect them from other gorillas, leopards, or humans. The silverback will look for her young if a female dies or leaves the group. He can utilize his knowledge to help his group members free themselves from snares that are on their hands or feet. A once-peaceful group might become chaotic after the death of a silverback. They run the chance of the silverback from another tribe deciding to kill every child born to the dead man. Despite their strength and might, mountain gorillas are typically exceedingly gentle and timid. Only when assaulted or when they come across another gorilla troop do the group members act aggressively. Even in such circumstances, they will start by intimidating or threatening an intruder. The Silverbacks may become extremely vicious, even to the point of death, when they decide to fight. They will attack the adversary with their razor-sharp fangs to inflict serious wounds and injuries.

Dian Fossey and her research on Mountain gorillas

Captain Robert von Beringe was the first to identify the mountain gorilla while on an expedition to define the borders of the then-German territories in East Africa. One of the big apes was caught and taken to a German museum after two of the big apes were shot. This is where a new gorilla species was found. Gorilla beringei was given that name in honor of Captain Robert. George Schaller in 1959 and Dian Fossey in 1967 were two researchers who became interested in investigating this novel species throughout the ensuing decades. Fossey is noted with developing novel techniques for acclimating mountain gorillas, such as replicating their sounds and winning over the dominant male silverback. She also took mountain gorilla study to an entirely new level. She spearheaded the first gorilla census and shifted her focus from purely on study to gorilla conservation, bringing the predicament of the gorillas to the attention of the world.

Involving Mountain Gorillas and Dian Fossey Between active, theoretical, and community-based gorilla conservation, Dian Fossey categorized her work. In terms of proactive enforcement of anti-poaching regulations, she recommended conducting animal censuses and removing poachers’ tools. According to theoretical conservation, gorilla habitats would need to have their infrastructure upgraded, including park administration buildings and lodges being renovated and gorilla families being accustomed to visitors. The community-based conservation strategy is the last method of gorilla conservation, and it involves communities and takes their interests into account. By disrupting their plans and establishing park patrols, Fossey vigorously fought against poachers.  Her violent killing is thought to have occurred as a result of her stern stance against poachers. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, as it is now known, carries on her work today.

Current threats and Conservation.

Mountain gorillas are still under threat and are regarded as an endangered species, despite the fact that their population has grown to little over 1,000. Humans are the biggest threat to mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are still a target of poaching in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Snares have murdered or injured a number of people, leaving behind traumatized orphans. The majority of these traps are designed for other animals. Despite possessing the oldest national park in Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s conflicts, insecurity, and civil turmoil have had an influence on the mountain gorilla population as a whole.

Mountain gorilla populations have been steadily increasing, and one of the main factors is gorilla tourism, as well as the strict protection measures put in place by the governments and the work of researchers, who receive financing from kind donors. Any life-threatening diseases or wounds from snares are treated by veterinarians for the gorillas. The Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was established to care for young mountain gorillas whose parents were killed by poachers. In order to ferret out any poachers or armed groups, park management in the Congo has intensified armed patrols in the Virunga National Park. Disputed judgments include the expulsion of the Batwa pygmies from the jungles of Uganda and Rwanda.

Although these choices have assisted in stabilizing mountain gorilla populations, governments can still do more to incorporate local groups in park activities so that they can gain from tourism. Mount Gorillas in Peril The story of gorilla conservation has, fortunately, been a success. Funding from organizations dedicated to wildlife protection has been simple to secure thanks to their fascinating nature and endangered position. Mountain gorilla conservation is the primary focus of the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP). A joint initiative of the World-Wide Fund for Nature, Fauna & Flora International, and African Wildlife Foundation, this program was established in 1991. These organizations have been very kind and have contributed funds to the defense of the mountain gorillas.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Although a gorilla tour is pricey, getting close to a mountain gorilla is the pinnacle of animal encounters. Despite how awesome it is to go on a safari to see the “big five,” nothing compares to seeing mountain gorillas in their native environment because they are our kin. Only 1000 mountain gorillas are thought to remain in the wild today; mountain gorilla licenses are in high demand. These are split between Rwanda and DR Congo, with Uganda home to half of them. Organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature classify mountain gorillas as endangered due to their small global number remaining.

Individual opinion (and perhaps biases) plays a part in the ongoing, unresolved discussion of which nation is ideal for a gorilla safari. In our experience operating safaris, each nation has benefits over the others, and a person’s choice of where to travel ultimately belongs to them. Some of our customers choose to visit the gorillas in both Rwanda and Uganda in order to observe the variations in mountain gorilla tracking between the two nations.

Only 20% of mountain gorillas have established habits. Mountain gorilla habituation is a two-year process that gives a particular group of mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo time to become accustomed to humans living among them. Since wild mountain gorillas are unpredictable, visitors are not permitted to get close to them. What time of year is ideal for a gorilla tour? When pursuing mountain gorillas, one must navigate muddy trails, steep hills, and dense jungle. The more daring gorilla habituation experience as well as regular gorilla tracking are also possible throughout the year.

The greatest time to go on a gorilla safari, though, is right after the rainy season ends. At this time of year, the landscape and gorilla parks are still incredibly lush and less soggy. How long does tracking gorillas take? This activity could take anything from 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the gorilla family you select. For your gorilla trekking expedition, it is advised that you mentally and physically become ready. Every traveler getting ready to track mountain gorillas receives a packing list and recommendations on where to stay. The guidelines for gorilla tracking are typically explained to you by the guides and wardens at the various parks before you enter the forest. What are the possibilities of witnessing gorillas? In any case, we cannot assure you that you will see the primates. We haven’t heard of anyone returning without ever seeing them, though. Over 90% of the time, you’ll see them. Remember that there are various additional things you may partake in after your gorilla-watching excursion. To begin with, you can learn about Dian Fossey’s work to rescue and conserve gorillas by visiting her tomb. Along with gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, and monkeys live in the gorilla parks. East African nations are fortunate to have many resources for tourism. In other national parks and reserves, you can take a safari to see additional wildlife. East Africa is the destination for you if you enjoy mountain hikes, bird watching, white water rafting, cultural excursions, and nature walks. Gorilla safaris and other activities can be included in custom packages from Amakula African Safaris.