Why there is the  Extinction of Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas were perilously near to extinction. These gorillas, which reside in the mountainous slopes of the Virunga Ranges and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, are the largest primates in the world.

Their long, dense fur aids in their survival at higher altitudes.

What was the cause of the Mountain Gorillas’ extinction?

Therefore, what was the reason for the imminent extinction of mountain gorillas?

This is due to a variety of factors, some of which will be elaborated upon during your gorilla trekking excursions.

Depletion of habitat

The primary cause of the extinction of gorillas is habitat loss.

Deforestation and forest degradation by humans for industrial and settlement purposes have resulted in the loss of mountain gorillas’ natural habitats, necessitating their relocation to higher altitudes.

The frigid temperatures at these elevated altitudes are hazardous to their health, as they can result in conditions such as pneumonia.

Harvesting
Poaching continues to be a contributing factor to the extinction of mountain gorillas.

Some locals poach gorillas for personal consumption to feed their families, while others sell their meat to wealthy individuals who appreciate bushmeat.

Diseases

The decline of mountain gorillas has also been influenced by disease outbreaks, such as Ebola in gorilla families.

Regrettably, these primates are unable to combat these maladies due to their inadequate immune systems and their extremely low birth rate.

The frequent occurrence of disease outbreaks, which result in mortality, further reduces the mountain gorilla population.

Pet commerce that is illegal
Foreigners provide substantial quantities of money to certain locals in order to poach mountain gorillas.

Private animal zoos are owned by a number of these immigrants.

In numerous instances, they retrieve their capture, neglecting the fact that these apes are incapable of surviving at lower altitudes.

Some individuals even keep gorillas as pets, which significantly shortens their lifespan.

This has contributed to the extinction of mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorillas are typically not preyed upon by any natural predators, with the exception of leopards, who have a preference for gorilla flesh.

Mountain gorillas occasionally become entangled in devices that are intended for other forest animals, including bushbucks and antelopes.

Many gorillas have been injured and some have even succumbed to these snares.

Conventional medicine

Certain body sections of mountain gorillas are believed to possess magical properties by certain traditional healers in the area.

They contribute to the decline of mountain gorillas by killing them for their traditional rituals and benefits.

The killing of gorillas for the purpose of obtaining trophies

Some individuals kill mountain gorillas for the purpose of displaying their remains as trophies, thereby demonstrating their authority.

Regrettably, these individuals fail to acknowledge the significance of mountain gorillas in the context of local communities and the environment.

Silverbacks are responsible for the deaths of other males.

Another uncommon cause of mountain gorilla extinction is the deed of some Silverbacks fighting to the death.

Silverbacks frequently eliminate all of the juvenile males in their groups to avert future challenges after they have emerged victorious in a challenge.

Additionally, the low birth rates of Silverback gorillas can make it difficult for their population to recuperate, as they may sustain severe injuries in fights that can result in their deaths a few days later.

Mountain gorillas are herbivorous animals that primarily consume vegetation.

On occasion, they supplement their diet with insects, termites, and ants.

They live in social structures where a silverback, who is frequently the oldest male gorilla, is in charge.