Key Mountain Gorilla Population Shows Signs of Recovery

by Santiago Rosero Perea, age 11

A recent study revealed that a key population of mountain gorillas in Africa is growing. Scientists recently conducted a survey gorillas in the Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem, a protected region that lies on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Those in charge of conserving these species counted over 450 gorillas in this region. By comparison, in 2011 there were only 400 gorillas in the Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem. This region consists of about 340 square kilometers of trees, bamboo, and mixed grasslands. The land includes Uganda's Bwindi Rainforest National Park and the Sarambwe Nature Reserve in the Republic of Congo. This is one of the last places on earth where there are still mountain gorillas.

It has to be recognized that mountain gorillas will continue to be an endangered animal species due to the destructive acts of bad people. This remarkable species almost became extinct at the end of the twentieth century. The conservation of these animals has helped many gorilla populations groups in Virunga and Bwindi recover.

Although mountain gorillas were barely able to be saved from extinction, they are still endangered. There are only about 1,000 individuals living in the wild. It’s up to humans to help keep these animals alive. To do so, humans have to stop damaging their habitat, hunting, and threatening them. By following these three steps it is possible to restore the gorilla species and their amazing habitat!

[Sources: World Wildlife Fund ; ICCN ]