Mountain gorillas are listed under IUCN Redbook as critically endangered species, only 880 mountain gorilla individuals are thriving in the world and because they are critically endangered they attract tourists from all walks of life around the globe to come meet these gentle giant in their natural habitat.
Mountain gorillas are in three protected areas namely; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national park southwestern Uganda the other in the Virunga massif mainly the Virunga National Park in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda. The gorillas spend much of their time in thick forests at higher altitude and in conservation areas that feature intense human population that also puts a lot of pressure on gorilla habitat. Given the fact that they are at a risk of extinction, it is of importance that their health status and numbers are taken note of to help in their effective protection and conservation in the wild. Uganda has begun its population census of the critically endangered mountain gorillas a mid-confidence their numbers are steadily rising, boosting prospects for its tourism industry that relies heavily on the primates. A periodic census for these rare species is conducted where conservationists and park authorities from different protected areas come together to ensure that the exercise is conducted successfully. The last census in 2011 showed Uganda had 480 mountain gorillas in two protected areas, or about half of the world’s surviving population. The others are in neighboring Rwanda and Congo’s forested mountain areas since March 2018 a census team has been traversing Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to carry out census and because these unhabituated gorillas are rarely seen and be counted directly the researchers will rely on signs of gorilla trails and nest sites, another survey will be carried out in September, this survey is done after a period of 5 years. The researchers will collect samples of gorilla dung from each nest they encounter, which will then be sent for genetic analysis to enable a more accurate population estimate. To ensure effective survey for the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park this year, different teams have to hike via the thick jungles of at least 500 meters apart while also searching for gorilla signs and nests along the marked trails. The research and census is conducted by the Director of the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), which is coordinating the research together with the Greater Virunga Trans boundary Collaboration and other partners, the team involving Ugandans, Rwandese and DR Congo wild life experts will also be recording traces of other large mammals that share their habitat as well as collecting data on illegal activities within the park. The latter will then be analyzed alongside the gorilla records to see whether human activities are affecting gorilla distribution and behavior. The survey data will be analyzed and combined with the results of a similar census in the Virunga Massif – the other destinations on earth where mountain gorillas are found in order to have a conclusive view on how mountain gorillas are faring and determine the population in number following recent birth in the habituated gorilla families.
Mountain gorilla population census is the most significant exercise as it helps in monitoring and planning process for gorilla conservation and protection. The results obtained will indicate the effectiveness of the conservation and protection measure employed by park authorities as well as other conservation bodies that are involved in ensuring the long survival of these critically endangered apes in the wild. This will help in understanding whether the gorilla numbers are increasing ore simply reducing and derive effective measures to protect them from extinction.