23/05/2007
A survey undertaken by the Uganda Wildlife Authority has shown that the number of mountain gorillas living in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has now risen from 320 to 340. This news was released in April following a mountain gorilla population survey that takes place every four years.
When combined with an increase in the second and only other mountain gorilla group that lives in the Virungas Volcano region the total mountain gorilla population now stands at 720 individuals. The figure reveals a total population increase of about 6% since the last census of both groups occurred in 2003.
Given that the period between both surveys has been characterised by continued instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo and pressure in all three countries on land for agriculture and forest products, the increase in population size is due to effective conservation measures and increased awareness and support from donors. The news also shows how joint conservation efforts between park authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda, and other conservation organisations, can yield results despite recurrent security threats in the region.
The collaboration of conservation efforts has made an enormous difference to the effectiveness of park management, monitoring and law-enforcement, providing greater protection for the conservation of mountain gorillas.
Although it is extremely positive to see the gorillas’ numbers grow, the threats of agricultural encroachment, poaching, habitat disturbance and disease transmission from humans are still very real and the gorillas remain extremely vulnerable.
With the support of Fauna & Flora International, the International Gorilla Conservation Programme will continue to work within all three countries to ensure the effective conservation of mountain gorillas.
You can donate to this programme via Fauna & Flora International by clicking here.
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To find out more about this news item, please contact
Dave Beamont at david.beamont@fauna-flora.org or call +44 (0)1223 579332.
Chris Loades at chris.loades@fauna-flora.org or call +44 (0)1223 579021.
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