Endangered Mountain Animals

Colonial expansions in the 19th century brought the whole of Africa under the rule of European foreigners. They indulged themselves for pleasure in the capture and prized hunting of endangered mountain animals. Therefore, the numbers of the endangered mountain animals started declining swiftly. Here, we will discuss about some endangered mountain animals:

Mountain Gorilla: They are an easygoing and playful creature, generally non-aggressive towards human beings unless they are threatened. But, it is considered to be one of the most endangered animals in the world. According to an estimate, today, only 600 mountain gorillas are alive.

They are mainly found in Rwanda, Zaire, and Uganda. Habitat loss, poaching, and war threats are the major reasons for mountain gorillas becoming endangered animals. The political unrest leading to civil war in Rwanda, which started in early 1990s, has forced many people to take shelter in refugee camps near the gorillas' reserves. This warring condition of Rwanda has threatened the existence of endangered mountain animals mountain gorillas.

In an effort to save the mountain gorillas, Africa's first national park was set up in Zaire in 1925. But, a dedicated conservation effort for mountain gorillas began in late 1970s. An international effort to save the mountain gorillas came in the form of Mountain Gorilla Project. It aimed to educate the people of Rwanda about the gorillas, and took steps to promote gorilla tourism in the area.

Gorilla tourism has been a success in Rwanda, and was once the country's third largest foreign currency earner. Similar programs to promote gorilla tourism have been started in Zaire and Uganda. The future of endangered animals mountain gorilla largely depends upon the political stability in the area.

Mountain Lion: This powerful predator is found across the United States, from Florida swamps to the forests of Canada. It is commonly known as puma, cougar, and catamount. Deer is their favorite prey, but they also feed upon coyotes, porcupines, and raccoons.

Mountain Lions have become endangered animals because of habitat loss and poaching. Population expansion has deserted them from their natural habitat. In addition, poaching of mountain lions for their body parts has pushed them in the category of endangered animals.

Mountain Zebra: They are listed as critically endangered animals by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their numbers are threatened due to widespread hunting and loss of habitat. It is believed that only 25,000 mountain zebras are alive today. To preserve the declining numbers of mountain zebras, a Mountain Zebra National Park has been established in South Africa.

In the same way, the Gray Wolf, the Woodpecker, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Anoa, and other endangered mountain animals are facing threat to their existence. They have been largely endangered due to their habitat loss as vast tracts of land have been acquired for farming. This expansion of human beings has forced the endangered animals to be displaced from their natural habitat.

Therefore, it is important, and in the interest of man, to conserve the endangered mountain animals. Some endangered animal organizations such as World Wildlife Federation (WWF) and Defenders of Wildlife have dedicated themselves to the restoration and conservation of endangered animals.