About Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are the largest of the primates, characterized by their thick, dark fur and prominent nostrils. Their population, which consists of just over 1,000 individuals, resides in the Virunga massif, where they inhabit the volcanic mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They represent an endangered subspecies of the eastern lowland gorillas. These social herbivores live in mountainous forests and are typically led by a dominant silverback male. Although their numbers are gradually increasing thanks to conservation initiatives, they continue to face threats from poaching, habitat destruction, and disease.
Mountain Gorilla Habitats
Mountain Gorillas are found in Africa, particularly in the Virunga Conservation Area located within the Virunga Mountains and the rainforest regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
The Virunga Conservation Area includes Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Mountain Gorillas naturally have a denser coat of fur covering their bodies, and to regulate their body temperature, they need to live at higher elevations where the climate is cooler. These mountains reach a peak height of 4507 meters above sea level.
This trait is what gives them the name Mountain Gorillas. The Virunga Mountains create a volcanic chain that stretches across Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda, positioned between Lake Edward and Lake Kivu.
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Top 10 facts regarding mountain gorillas
- Approximately 1,063 individuals are found in the wild.
- They inhabit two separate groups.
- Humans share about 98% of their DNA with gorillas.
- They rank among the largest and most powerful primates alive today.
- Their diet allows them to eat throughout the day.
- At night, they snuggle together for warmth.
- They possess 16 distinct vocalisations.
- They reside in family units.
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Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is famous for Gorilla trekking tours and serves as a sanctuary for a rich variety of wildlife. The park is also home to the endangered golden monkeys, and more than 200 species of birds have been recorded here. The park includes five of the eight volcanoes that make up the Virunga Mountain range. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda plays a crucial role in the conservation of the once-endangered mountain gorillas. The park lies close to the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.