Conservation of Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

Mountain gorillas live in family groups headed by one Silverback male, with several females and black backs. They mainly eat herbaceous vegetation such as nettles and thistles but will sample bamboo in excited groups when it is producing new shoots.

Babies are born when a female reaches 9-12years and will be weaned at 3-4 years. Males are often pushed out of the group when they reach adulthood and develop the silver back at around 12 years, becoming lone males until they can take over a group of females when a group male is too old to defend it or dies.

In Uganda conservation of gorillas is done in two national parks, Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park

Mountain gorillas are well protected in Uganda because of their importance for tourism and the generation of more foreign currency than any other activity in Uganda today. Proceeds from gorilla tourism support the conservation efforts of gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park in Uganda.

Occasionally poachers attempt to capture infant gorillas for the wild animal pet trade, and in so doing often kill many adult gorillas in the infant’s group. Gorillas can fall foul of snares set for antelopes, often losing a hand or a foot and dying of septicemia in the process.

The disease is also a potential threat. Gorillas are very susceptible to human illnesses and in captivity, they receive the same vaccinations as children. This is not an option for wild mountain gorillas and tour operators need to take precautions to ensure that tourists do not transmit any potentially harmful diseases to them.

Be part of the gorilla conservation efforts by visiting the home of the Mountain gorillas in Uganda.