Mountain gorilla population on the rise

Critically endangered gorillas grows by a quarter in seven years

December 2010: The endangered mountain gorilla population in Virunga, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is growing steadily according to the latest census.

GROWING POPULATION: But there are still fewer than 500 mountain gorillas living in the Virunga Massif.

There results confirm that as well as a 3.7 per cent increase year on year, over the past seven years the population has grown by just over 26 per cent.

When the census was conducted in March and April this year, researchers found a total of 480 mountain gorillas, living in 36 groups along with 14 solitary silverback males in the Virunga Massif. The last census conducted in the area was in 2003, when the population was estimated at 380 individuals.

The Virunga Massif includes three contiguous national parks spanning the Virunga Volcanoes on the border of three countries: Parc National des Virunga in DRC, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The only other location where mountain gorillas exist is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

Along with the 302 mountain gorillas censused in 2006 in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and four orphaned mountain gorillas in a sanctuary in DRC, the total known world population is 786 individuals.

Census will also help monitor gorillas' health

John Makombo, director of conservation at the Uganda Wildlife Authority said: ‘Uganda continues to pledge her support towards any efforts that will see the sustainable existence of a healthy mountain gorilla population for the benefit of the local communities, Ugandans and the global community as we conserve for generations.'

Six teams of 72 people from DRC, Rwanda and Uganda systematically walked more than 1,000 kilometres throughout the entire range during the census, meticulously documenting fresh signs of mountain gorilla groups. Genetic analysis of faecal samples collected during the census have identified and corrected for any double-counting of individuals or groups, ensuring the most accurate estimate for the population.

Faecal samples were also collected for a comprehensive health screen of the population. Further details and results of the health screen, population structure, genetic composition, mountain gorilla distribution, population dynamics, and human disturbance will be available when the full report is complete in 2011.