Mountain Gorillas:
Mountain Gorilla Rwanda. Photo courtesy of Terra Incognita Ecotours
Mountain gorillas are found only in Central Africa and only in two regions: 1) the Virunga Massif mountain range which includes the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda (Parc National des Volcans), the Virunga National Park in the DRC (Parc National de Virunga) and the Mgahinga National Park in Uganda; and, 2) the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.
There could be less than 750 individual Mountain Gorillas remaining in the wild today. For reference, one screening room at a large movie theatre can hold about 250-300 people. This means all the Mountain Gorillas left in the world today could fit into just three screenings for the new Harry Potter movie!
The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) belongs to the eastern gorilla species, which also includes the Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri). As we mentioned there are only two populations of Mountain Gorilla. 1) the Virunga Massif mountain range and, 2) the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The Bwindi Mountain Gorilla could be a third subspecies, Gorilla beringei bwindi but the taxonomic status of the populations is still as yet unclear.
The major threats affecting or having affected Mountain Gorilla populations are habitat loss or modification and forest encroachment, disease and disease transmission from humans and war or political unrest in the region.
Mountain Gorillas have faced increased pressures over the past 20+ years due to the civil unrest in the region including the Rwandan tragedy in the early 90′s which forced millions to flee the area resulting in increased pressure and utilization of natural resources (trees for wood, wildlife for food) just to survive. Perfectly adapted to their mountain habitat, this population helped to bring “eco”-tourism to a now peaceful Rwanda and Uganda making it more valuable as a living natural resource than being sold as bushmeat in the marketplace.
The Houston Zoo is hosting Dr. Michael Cranfield, Executive Director of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project as part of our Call of the Wild Lecture Series September 10th, 20009. Please go to http://www.houstonzoo.org/lectureseries/ for ticket information.
Tomorrow’s Blog: Western Lowland Gorilla’s
For more on Year of the Gorilla, go to http://www.yog2009.org/
*This is part 2 of 10 in our Mountain Gorilla Membership Madness giveaway. Post a comment on 3 mountain gorilla blogs before August 14 and enter to win a free Houston Zoo membership!
Well, that is an intersting turn. Instead of human activities helpig to contribute to the decline in a population, we hae tourists who have helped. It is sad that the area has been in such chaos that it takes potential revenue from tourists to get locals to apply value to the gorillas
There could be as few as 750 Mountain Gorillas left in the wild. Wow, didn’t realize there were that few left. So 250 to 300 Mt. Gorillas could fit into a Harry Potter screening.
Do we have enough in zoos to ensure diversification of the species in case we needed to repopulate the wild? Or is that a viable option?
1/3 of the Mt.Gorilla’s left in the world could fit into a Harry Potter screening
Wow, the reference to the movie theater seating really opens your eyes to just how few mountain gorillas are left. Considering that it costs $15 just for two small drinks and a small popcorn at the movies, wouldn’t it be great if people would give that money towards saving these wonderful creatures? If just one full movie house did that it could really make a difference.
It’s amazing to see just how few of this species remain in the wild. I’m glad to see the Houston Zoo is educating people about the Mountain Gorilla so maybe we can help save them and get them off the endangered species list. Thanks so much for this blog, I am enjoying reading it.
I am really enjoying reading about the Moutain Gorillas… Thanks for the blogs. I didnt realize how few Moutain Gorillas were left… I only pray something wonderful happens and we can save them and get them off the endangered list!!
What can be realistically done to save the remaining few individuals?
I went onto the Convention of Migratory Species site for Great Ape Partnerships (http://www.cms.int/bodies/meetings/regional/gorillas/gor_mop1.htm)and a few of the in-country actions for this species (they are recommending) include:
Enforcement of existing legislation needs to be strengthened.
• Tourism must be adequately regulated to ensure it is sustainable, and that disturbance and threats to the gorillas are minimal.
• Ensure that moneys generated from gorilla tourism are invested in local communities and in gorilla conservation.
• Policies to ensure the sustainable use of all natural resources should be developed which should minimise damage to gorilla habitat.
• Standards should be developed which minimise the opportunities for disease transmission from humans to gorillas, which could include a health education programme for local residents, good hygiene and waste disposal practice by researchers, tourists and officials in contact with gorillas.
“There could be less than 750 individual Mountain Gorillas remaining in the wild today. For reference, one screening room at a large movie theatre can hold about 250-300 people. This means all the Mountain Gorillas left in the world today could fit into just three screenings for the new Harry Potter movie!” wow I didn’t know that so if 750 fit in 3 screenings then then 250 fit in one wow! I wish there were alot more mountain gorillas in the world though.
My only hope is that the gorillas that are a part of the parks are being provided with a safe haven. It saddens me to think that only a small number of mountain gorillas exist in these two regions but hopefully, with the help of the tourist business, their population can flourish.
Kimberly’s comment above says it perfectly.
It’s heartbreaking what civilazation has done to wildlife. Hopefully we can save the remaining gorillas. Beautiful creatures with soulful eyes!
Thank you Houston zoo for educating people about the plight of the Gorillas. I truly believe that “Humans want to save what they love” and if you can educate people about animals they will grow to love them and then they will work to save them.
I like what Peter has to say above. The balance between humans and gorillas must be reached, but not at the expense of such a magnificent animal like the Gorilla.
This is turning out to be a great series. It has sparked quite a bit of discussion with our children not just gorillas but our responsibility as “the most intelligent species” for all animals and the planet. Thank you!
How many gorillas are there in captivity?
According to the International Species Information System (which does not list all captive animals but those of accredited zoos and aquariums) there are approximately 700 Western Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) worldwide
I liked what Kimberly had to say. If we had an education campaign during the previews at the movie theater combined with a % of the proceeds from the concession stand that might be one way to help fund more education and conservation.
I like that you give a reference that is easily understandable. Great education tool!
How in the world can there only be 750 of the marvelous animals alive. I never realized this was happening to this extent.
Using the movie theater example was very compelling. It puts things into perspective, I know I have gone into movie theaters with at least three times that many people in them; it is sad to think that such an amazing and beautiful creature has fewer individuals left than the movie theater on a Friday night. If only everyone could read and visualize this example, I think it would go a long ways to opening people’s eyes to just how big of an issue this is!
This is REALLY sad!!! THe reference is really eye-opening and it is amazing that there are so few of these amazing animals that they would fit into 3 screenings of Harry Potter (I wonder if they would like it?). I agree with Kimberly, another idea is if we got some sort of petition and take it to the government. We could also do like a Jeans for Genes day idea with the proceeds going to help these animals.
Hope something gets done soon.