Gorillas, the largest living primates, inhabit the tropical forests of equatorial Africa. These magnificent creatures are divided into two species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, each with distinct subspecies. Understanding their habitat and behavior is crucial for conservation efforts and for those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing them in the wild.
Distribution of Gorillas in Africa
Habitat and Distribution
Gorillas primarily inhabit tropical forest habitats, which are characterized by consistent temperatures around 23°C and approximately 12 hours of daylight. Rainfall varies considerably in these regions, influencing the type of vegetation that thrives.
The distribution of gorillas varies by species and subspecies:
- Western Lowland Gorilla: Inhabits the tropical forests of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea (West Africa).
- Eastern Lowland Gorilla: Found in the tropical forests of the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Mountain Gorilla: Resides in the high altitude (1,650-3,790 m/5,413-12,435 ft) tropical forests of Zaire, Rwanda, and Uganda, particularly around the Virunga volcanoes.
- Cross River Gorilla: Occupies a small area between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Gorilla habitat ranges from montane forest to swampland. Mountain gorillas live in montane forests at the higher end of the elevation range, while eastern lowland gorillas live in submontane forests at the lower end.
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Gorilla trekking in Rwanda: epic & moving adventure!
Mountain Gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Population Estimates
The population of gorillas varies across species and faces numerous threats.
Here's a breakdown of population estimates:
- Western Lowland Gorilla: Estimated at 92,000 in 1999, but this number doesn't account for the impact of the bushmeat trade and Ebola virus.
- Eastern Lowland Gorilla: Estimated at about 17,000 individuals in 1998, but this doesn't reflect the impact of the bushmeat trade and warfare.
- Mountain Gorilla: Estimated at around 380 individuals living around the Virunga volcanoes and about 320 individuals in the Bwindi area. Conservation International and the IUCN classify this species as one of the 25 most endangered primates.
- Cross River Gorilla: Estimated population of about 250 to 280 individuals.
Many gorilla populations live in isolated groups, which restricts access to potential mates and can negatively affect the health and birthrates of the species.
Behavior and Diet
A gorilla's day is divided between rest periods and travel or feeding periods. Diets differ between and within species.
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On a typical day for mountain gorillas, the animals get up from their sleeping nests between 6 am and 8 am and eat enthusiastically for about two hours. At about 10 am the group begins a resting period when many of the social bonding behaviors happen. While the adults sit quietly, grab a quick nap or groom each other, the young gorillas play follow the leader, king of the mountain and tag. They somersault down slopes and chase each other, chuckling as they run. They mock fight, wrestling, grappling and tumbling about, and pretend to bite without hurting each other. It would be difficult not to see the resemblance to a human family at home on a weekend.
Mountain gorillas are vegetarians. Leaves, shoots and stems make up 86 percent of the gorilla’s diet, and fruit only 2 percent. They spend most of their time on the ground, although they will occasionally climb trees to reach fruit when it is in season.
Here's a comparison of gorilla diets:
| Gorilla Subspecies | Diet |
|---|---|
| Mountain Gorillas | Mostly foliage (leaves, stems, pith, and shoots), with very little fruit. |
| Eastern Lowland Gorillas | Diverse diets, including leaves, pith, fruits (up to 25%), and insects (preferably ants). |
| Western Lowland Gorillas | Depend more on fruits and travel farther to find them; also consume aquatic herbs. |
Gorillas construct nests for daytime and night use. Nests tend to be simple aggregations of branches and leaves about 2 to 5 ft (0.61 to 1.52 m) in diameter and are constructed by individuals. Gorillas, unlike chimpanzees or orangutans, tend to sleep in nests on the ground.
Family of Gorillas
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Where to See Gorillas in the Wild
Mountain gorillas can survive only in their natural habitat. Trekking into their native forests is the only way to see these gorillas in the wild. There are strict regulations in place to ensure the health and safety of these animals.
Here are some of the best places to see gorillas in their natural habitat:
- Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park): Known for accessible gorilla trekking experiences. The stunning Volcanoes National Park is situated in north-western Rwanda and covers 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) of prime rainforest, encompassing five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains range.
- Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park): Home to half of the world's mountain gorilla population. Bwindi is a World Heritage Site of both montane and lowland forest that provides a verdant habitat for about 120 species of mammals, 350 bird species, 220 butterfly species, plus many more reptiles and amphibians.
- Republic of the Congo (Odzala-Kokoua National Park): Offers a unique trekking experience where you can walk straight into the forest from camp. The park is renowned for its successful conservation of western lowland gorillas, which makes Congo the best place to see these gorillas in the wild.
- Democratic Republic of Congo (Virunga National Park): More than 100 mountain gorillas reside in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the oldest national park in Africa.
Conservation Efforts
Mountain gorillas are an exception, and they are found east of the basin in the Albertine Rift. Mountain gorillas have an extremely restricted habitat, living only in a small range of volcanoes at the intersection of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park about 20 miles north.
The permit price Natural Habitat travelers pay, part of which is shared with the communities surrounding the gorilla parks, has very likely prevented this species from going extinct.
In the late 1970s, two of Fossey’s graduate students from the Karisoke Research Center-Amy Vedder and Bill Weber-helped the government of Rwanda see the financial potential of bringing tourists to visit the mountain gorillas. It was a very new concept and a difficult battle, as the government had a plan in place to reduce the size of Volcanos National Park for a cattle ranching project.
The cost of gorilla permits is essential to preserving the gorillas’ habitats and supporting local communities. So yes, it is worth the money.
Exploring the mountain gorillas’ habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Mountain gorillas are critically endangered, and their survival depends on protecting these unique habitats. Deforestation, poaching, and human settlement threaten their existence.
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