An endangered species

The western lowland gorilla is the most widespread of the gorillas although nobody knows how many currently survive in the wild. The common figure quoted is between 90,000 and 110,000 but it is thought that this could be an exaggeration due partly to previous surveys taking population estimates from protected areas with relatively high gorilla densities, and extrapolating these figures over the rest of the region. No surveys have been carried out recently, but evidence suggests that increased hunting has reduced populations. In contrast, the other subspecies of Western gorilla, the Cross River Gorilla, found on the Nigeria-Cameroon border, has a remaining population which may be as little as 150 to 200.

The mountain gorilla only became known to science just over 100 years ago and since then it has been affected by wars, poaching, disease, and destruction of habitat which meant that by 1989 there were only about 620 remaining. Massive conservation efforts brought about an increase to an estimated 674 individuals by October 2002. The latest Virunga gorilla census conducted between September and October 2003, combined with the 2002 Bwindi census results which established this population at approximately 320, indicates that the world population of mountain gorillas is now at least 700. Since the completion of the Virunga Census at least two additional mountain gorilla births have been documented.

The main threats to the gorilla population are the destruction of their forest habitat, through clearance for agricultural and logging purposes and the trade in bushmeat. The demand for gorilla meat has increased from both road labourers and a growing urban market where it is viewed as a symbol of wealth and prestige. Since male gorillas will actively defend their females and offspring when threatened, their chance of being killed by a hunter is increased and following the death of the silverback, a gorilla group is disrupted and will often split up.