Mountain Gorilla - Conservation

Conservation

Threat Effect on Gorilla Population Conservation Efforts
Poaching
  • Gorillas are maimed or killed by traps set for other animals.
  • Abduction of infants for illegal selling to zoos and as pets. This often results in other adult gorillas being killed in the process.
  • Increased patrolling using armed guards in protected forest areas.
  • Karisoke’s guards find and remove some 1,000 snares each year.
  • Gorilla censuses to monitor gorilla population.
  • Karisoke Research Centre runs a facility for young gorillas rescued from poachers.
Habitat loss
  • Rapidly expanding human settlements are removing the gorilla habitat.
  • Fragmentation of forested areas has resulted in the isolation of gorilla groups from each other, reducing genetic diversity.
  • Expansion of areas of national park to protect habitat.
Disease
  • Regular contact of tourists with the gorillas allows transmission of diseases from humans to the gorillas.
  • Domestic animals and livestock also contribute to disease transmission.
  • Requirement to stay at least 7 meters from gorillas at all times.
  • Better management of ecotourism.
  • More education for local communities to minimise impact of livestock.
War and unrest
  • Refugees removing trees to create settlements and farms.
  • Increased use of gorillas for meat by displaced peoples.
  • Gorillas can be killed by land mines placed along forest paths.
Local communities
  • Habitat removal.
  • Lack of support for conservation efforts due to insufficient education and awareness amongst locals.
  • Poverty encourages the use of slash and burn agriculture to grow food.

Karisoke Research centre has:

  • Created Virunga biodiversity inventory and field guides, to support public education and ecotourism.
  • Supplied primary school students with books and other materials.
  • Run conservation programs for secondary schools.
  • Provided biodiversity training for local park staff and conservation groups.
  • Provide field courses and internships for Rwandan college students.

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