Natural Predators and Threats to Mountain Gorillas

A subspecies of primates, mountain gorillas are the largest in the world and are found in the Virunga mountain slopes and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

There are less than 1000 individuals remaining on Earth.

You can contribute to the expansion of this figure by participating in gorilla trekking excursions and tours.

Mountain gorillas are organized into social groups of 5–30 individuals, with a silverback serving as the leader and overseeing all daily activities.

They are exclusively herbivores, consuming leaves, bamboo shoots, stems, and bark. Additionally, 25% of their nutrition consists of fruits. However, gorillas occasionally consume insects, termites, and ants.

Mountain gorillas have a slow birth rate, with females generating only 4-6 offspring in their lifetime.

Females undergo an eight-and-a-half-month gestation period. In a month, female mountain gorillas have only 1-2 fertile days.

The female is the one who follows the male when they are prepared to mate.

Predators of Mountain Gorillas

Leopards

Leopards are capable of killing mountain gorillas within their range. With the assistance of their intelligent and large felines, which are capable of consuming flesh from a variety of animals, they are capable of eliminating an adult mountain gorilla.

Human beings

In addition to leopards, humans are the most significant predators of mountain gorillas. People who prefer bush meat consume it, which is the primary cause of gorilla poaching.

Additionally, they capture gorillas for the illegal pet trade, as some individuals maintain them as pets or in private zoos.

Traditional healers have also taken gorillas as pets as they believe that certain portions of the animals can be used as charms.

Devices made for other animals, such as antelopes, also kill gorillas.