Endangered Animals Gorilla

About Gorillas

Gorillas, apart from chimpanzees, have a vast resemblance to humans. It has been scientifically identified that 97-98% of gorilla's DNA match with the humans. They are an omnivore creature, which means that they eat animals as well as plants. Today, gorillas are one of the most endangered animal species.

Gorillas are found in the wilderness of Africa in Rwanda, Zaire, and Uganda. According to an estimate, only 50,000 gorillas are left in the wild. The endangered animals gorilla is threatened by both the natural and man-made forces. The eastern lowland gorillas are about 2,500 in numbers whereas only 600 mountain gorillas are alive in the wilderness.

Gorillas are primarily a terrestrial creature living in the tropical rainforests. They are generally found in the wet lowland forests, forest edges, abandoned fields, swamps, and the clearings. They are non-violent and friendly creatures. However, their image has been projected to be as violent beasts. It is due to the fact that they get angry only when their families are threatened, especially their kids. The life-span of gorilla is 35 years in the wild, and 50 years in captivity.

Causes of endangerment of Gorillas

The loss of habitat is the major cause for the decreasing numbers of endangered animals gorilla. Deforestation and slowly reducing areas of the forest cover have contributed in the loss of habitat of gorillas.

Poaching is another great threat to the endangered animals gorilla. The illegal business of poaching has been running relentlessly despite several attempts from the government and the authorized wildlife organizations to check it. The endangered animals gorilla is poached for their meat and other purposes. It is difficult to know the exact number of gorillas killed as they are killed and butchered on the spot by the poachers.

Moreover, Gorillas are hunted for amusements in the circus. This puts them under captivity, and is treated cruelly. They are also a victim of violence and political unrest. The Great Lakes region in Africa is facing political disturbance, which has affected the habitat of endangered animals gorilla. People from Rwanda are forced to take refuge in their domain. They harvest firewood from the forest, and have even killed gorillas in their struggle for survival.

In addition to it, gorillas have been threatened by the disease-carriers affecting humans. Disease-carriers of measles, mange, and the intestinal parasites affecting humans have endangered them. In 2004, hundreds of gorillas were reported to have died due to an outbreak of the dreaded Ebola virus.

Conservation of endangered animals Gorilla

Africa's first national park was set up in Zaire in 1925. Gorilla tourism is promoted as an effort for the conservation of the endangered animals gorilla. It has worked in bringing back the gorillas.

Gorilla tourism has been a success in Rwanda, and was once the country's third largest foreign currency earner. The Daine Fossey's Mountain Gorilla Project in Rwanda has helped in revamping the gorilla tourism. The project is concentrated on promoting tourism, conservation education, and the development of park. It has educated the local people about the economic advantages of saving gorillas.