Mountain gorillas are one of Africa’s endangered species whose conservation has become a prime interest to the governments they are found and to today’s modern traveler. Protecting Africa’s majestic gorilla species in the wild is the only way to conserve and grow the remaining gorilla population in the Africa’s dense tropical forests.

The human race is responsible for placing the African mountain gorilla on the world’s list of endangered species, so it is our job to get them off of that list – or at least increase their population as much as we possibly can help to achieve this goal.

Where to Find the African Mountain Gorillas

The African mountain gorilla can only be found within three African countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. Within these countries, there are four protected national parks that act as home to this gorilla population.

These protected areas include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the DRC. The top activity in each of these areas is gorilla trekking, where you can actually see how the mountain gorillas behave in their natural habitat.

Why African Mountain Gorillas Are Facing Extinction

The African mountain gorillas have faced some serious challenges in the past few decades. Their numbers have seen a steep decline, and only about 1,000 of them remain. Poaching is no longer a major problem since the governments of Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC have taken measures to stop this horrible practice.

But poaching was a major issue in the past, causing the number of mountain gorillas to drop significantly. In addition to poaching, forest degradation is another culprit of endangering the African gorilla species. With the ever growing human population, trees and forests all over the world are being chopped to the ground.

The forests of eastern Africa serve as home to these gorillas. Deforestation caused by humans essentially means that we are destroying the homes of mountain gorillas. With every single tree that is cut down, the risk of losing more mountain gorillas increases.

How Can We Help?

Everything we have covered so far has been extremely bleak. It is never easy to read about the problems caused by humans happening all over the world, but unfortunately that is the reality. But understanding these issues is the first step in making a difference. We can’t make a difference if we aren’t aware of the problem, so do your part by spreading the word about African mountain gorillas.

Awareness is not the only step, though. There is plenty that can be done to help these gorilla population of eastern Africa. Here are a few ways you can join the cause for the remaining 1,000 African mountain gorillas.

Fundraisers and Donations

The organizations responsible for protecting African wildlife are almost always nonprofit. This means that they rely entirely on donations from supporters around the world. One of the easiest things you can do to help out is donate to the cause. Organizations like the African Wildlife Foundation make a difference, and you can help them to do that by offering your support.

Even if you don’t have a dollar to spare, there are ways to raise the funds. Simply start an online fundraising page like GoFundMe, or put on a bake sale at school. This doesn’t just raise money, but it also increases awareness on the issue at hand. You can then send the funds directly to organizations like the World Wildlife Fund or the African Wildlife Foundation.

Travel to Rwanda, Uganda, or the DRC

This might be a bit extreme for you, but if you have the time and energy to travel the world, consider visiting eastern Africa. This won’t just be the adventure of a lifetime, it will also be an eye-opening experience and give you some valuable insight into the African mountain gorillas.

If you make it to one of these three countries, we recommend signing up for a gorilla trekking tour. Contrary to popular belief, trekking to go see the mountain gorillas is actually a good thing. Almost all tour companies donate a percentage of their revenue to protecting mountain gorillas. They also use sustainable trekking practices and never put the gorillas in harm’s way.

However, there are some important things to keep in mind when participating in a mountain gorilla trek, including:

• Never trek if you are feeling ill in any way. Trekking when you are sick should be avoided at all costs since this is a risk to the gorillas’ health.
• Keep a safe distance when viewing the gorillas in their natural habitat. The general rule is to stay at least 7 meters away as to not startle the animals or risk their health in any way.
• Opt for a tour company that donates a percentage of their profits to the cause.