Mountain Gorilla Population Steadily Increasing

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and partner conservation groups celebrated the results of a 2006 census survey which showed that the wild population of endangered mountain gorillas has increased. The results, released last week by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, point to successful conservation programs designed to protect mountain gorillas and their habitat.

The survey, conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, revealed a continued, steady increase from 320 to 340 mountain gorillas from 2002 to 2006. This increase represents a 6% increase in total population size since 2002 and a 12% increase since 1997. Overall, the gorilla population has been increasing on average at approximately 1% per year.

The estimated 720 remaining mountain gorillas are split between Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda and the Virunga mountains along the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. Though gorilla numbers plummeted for decades due to poaching, habitat loss, and the pressures of political strife, conservation programs have helped gorillas slowly but steadily increase their populations.

AWF supports mountain gorilla conservation through the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) -- a coalition of AWF, Fauna and Flora International and World Wide Fund for Nature. Through ranger-based monitoring, community development, anti-poaching activities, habitat conservation, and providing support to the national parks, IGCP is helping the mountain gorillas make a comeback.

"The census carried out last year in Bwindi shows a continuing growth trend in the Mountain gorilla population after a similar trend was observed in the 2003 census in the Virunga Massif," said Eugene Rutagarama, Director of IGCP. "This tremendous news shows how joint conservation efforts between park authorities in Uganda, DRC and Rwanda, and other conservation organizations can yield results despite recurrent security threats in the region."

Despite the promising news found in the census, threats to gorillas remain real. "With only 720 mountain gorillas left in the wild, our work is not done," said Eugene. "There are still threats as seen by the poaching incidents in January in the DRC, but I remain firm in my belief that we can ensure the future of this incredible species."