Mountains Gorillas increases - New Report

Uganda has today 24th September, joined the rest of the world to observe the international day for Gorillas 2024.

The day has come at the time when the population of gorillas is steadily growing, according to figures from conservationists.

September 24th annually is a day dedicated to the gorilla, our closest relative on Earth next only to the chimpanzee.

The day is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate these amazing animals and to take actions to protect them, as per the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

In commemoration of this day, a report dubbed ‘’Over 30 years of impact in Mountain Gorilla conservation’’ was launched

This report from the International Gorilla Conservation Programme indicated a consistent rise in the population of mountain gorillas over the past thirty years.

According to this report, the population of mountain gorillas has increased from 250 individuals in 1991 to 1,063 currently.

Due to this upward trend in numbers, mountain gorillas have been reclassified from “Critically Endangered” to now “Endangered” species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s  (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

The report indicates that the Bwindi-Sarambwe region is now home to 459 gorillas, while the Virunga Massif hosts 604 gorillas, resulting in a global total of 1,063 gorillas.

The report was published by the International Gorilla Conservation Program in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature Uganda (WWF), Fauna & Flora International, and Conservation International.

 “Since 1991, the international Gorilla conservation programme a coalition of three leading nature conservation organizations which includes ; conservation international, Fauna & Flora, and WWF working closely with many local, regional and international partners across the mountain gorilla range, has recorded remarkable successes and overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges along its journey” said Wellard Makambo, IGCP Director.

Makambo emphasized that this investment has empowered conservationists to track gorilla population trends and gain insights into their ecology and the challenges they encounter, thereby facilitating more effective and focused conservation efforts.

Furthermore, he noted that the IGCP has fostered opportunities for local communities to gain direct benefits from mountain gorilla conservation, enabling them to take on stewardship roles in conservation efforts, enhancing their livelihoods, improving access to essential resources such as freshwater, and assisting in the management and mitigation of conflicts between humans and wildlife.

Paul Hatanga, who represented the WWF country director at the event, emphasized that the loss of animal habitats poses a significant challenge, occurring at an alarming rate.

‘’The populations of gorillas and other wildlife continue to grow, their habitats are diminishing, necessitating a unified effort to preserve the vital habitations’’ he added.

On his part, Dr. Ricky Okwir Okello, a senior veterinarian specializing in gorillas, said that the increase in gorilla populations can be attributed to ecological monitoring and health interventions, which include regular health assessments conducted by veterinary professionals and disease management strategies.