Geographic Distribution, Threats, And Conservation Of Gorillas In Africa

A Brief Overview Of The Geographic Distribution of Gorillas in Africa

Gorillas are polite and gentle animals and have been one of the closest animals to humans after bonobos and chimpanzees to humans with a common genetic make-up of 98.3% (Clay 277). The gorillas have been classified as the endangered animals with a major impact asserted by habitat destruction (Wrangham 259).  The gorillas have been classified as critically endangered animals as they have been subjected to poaching, hunting, and habitat destruction (Skinner et al. 378). This report will provide a brief analysis of the geographic distribution of the Gorilla population in Africa and also identify the threats and challenges to their survival. This paper will also observe the behaviour of gorillas from a documentary, “The gorilla king” and further outline the recommendations and a plan for the conservation of the endangered gorillas in the region. This paper will end based on a reflection of the learning s and personal experiences and present an evidence-based analysis of the same.

Africa has two gorilla species that live in the equatorial region and are separated by 560 miles in the Congo Basin forest (Rosas 8). Both the species of gorillas in Africa have lowland and upland subspecies. They live in the colonies of five to ten but they can extend further up to fifty species (Skinner et al. 378). In Africa, gorillas are present in the majority in the three countries: the Democratic Republic and Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.

Figure 1: Location of gorillas and other apes in Africa (GRIDA)

The two popular populations of the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) are present in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda and in the Virunga Volcanoes conservation area making them available in all the three countries of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda (Zimmerman et al. 246). The second subspecies of gorillas in Africa, which are the eastern low land gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) are present only in the eastern lower zones (Ismaila and Ulrich 108). The subspecies of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are found in the regions of Cameroon, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cross-river gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli) are found in the eleven pockets in the forests between Cameroon and Nigeria. 

Figure 2:  Different gorilla species in Africa (a): Gorilla beringei beringei (WWF a)

(b) Gorilla beringei graueri (WWF b)

(c) Gorilla gorilla gorilla (WWF c)

(d) Gorilla gorilla diehli (WWF d)

Threats and challenges to the survival of gorilla population

Threats and challenges to the survival of gorilla population

The primary threats to the Gorilla population include poaching and habitat destruction (Kalema-Zikusoka 375). The habitat destruction is associated with the loss of the environment of natural Gorilla habitat due to mining and to some extent also by agriculture (Robbins 225). However, the major challenges include habitat degradation and hunting and poaching. The rapid degradation of natural habitat by anthropological activities has a direct impact on the gorillas (Ampumuza 1618). This is also associated with habitat fragmentation that results in the development of isolated populations of gorillas forcing them into inbreeding and increasing incidences of diseases and disorders. The loss of habitat is closely associated with the commercial logging and bushmeat trade in the region (Kalema-Zikusoka 380).

Poaching of gorillas is done for bushmeat and for the body parts that are used in traditional medicines (Ampumuza 1615). This has emerged as one of the major threats to the population of wild gorillas. Since gorillas have a low rate of reproduction, even low levels of poaching cause population decline and may require several generations to reverse (Ampumuza 1615).

The documentary, “the gorilla king” provides insights into the behavioural patterns of gorillas. The gorillas are gentle and shy animals and thus avid direct human animals. Further, they do not attack humans until they are provoked (Nature). In the wild, gorillas live in groups and have small groups of eight to ten individuals however; it can be increased to about fifty individuals. The group is led by a dominant male or a silverback and thus has a hierarchy in the groups. Females are sexually mature when they are seven to eight years old. But begin to breed only after a couple of years. On average, one gorilla communicated with about thirty individuals.

The leader of the group is associated with the organisation of the group activities including nesting and eating and also in the determination of the territory. Territorial disputes may take place between males where the challenger has to show his strength and often does by pounding the chest and standing upright. Therefore, the process of socialisation, communication, and territorial assertion in the gorillas is done through the use of vocalisation and body language (Nature).

Some behavioural adaptations include the use of body language and use of facial expressions for emotions. The presence of opposable thumbs is beneficial for them to eat and gather plants. They have adapted to the environment by depending only on the vegetation on large rather than depending on preying (Ruff 510). These behavioural and ecological adaptations have impacted the interactions of gorillas in the region.

Observations and Descriptions

Risk assessment chart for African gorillas

Gorillas are highly endangered and therefore, the development of their conservation plans and recommendations for their improved inclusion and preservation is needed. One of the major threats to the gorillas is the loss of habitat. Hence, the primary focus should be on ensuring actions toward the conservation of the habitat of gorillas (Kalema-Zikusoka 380). Conservation programs that limit the encroachment of land that is the habitat of the gorillas need to be taken into consideration. Further, it is also important that awareness regarding construction and anthropogenic projects are laid a foremost consideration so that there is no habitat fragmentation (Strindberg et al. 2695).

It is also important to consider that gorillas are also infected by diseases that impact their well-being. Hence, a focus should be laid on minimising human contact or habitat invasion by individuals who are sick. Further, a seven-meter distance should be ensured for keeping a distance from the gorillas. This will help in reducing the risk of transmission and prevent disturbing the natural behaviours of gorillas (Clay 278).

Policies and guidelines along with their effective communication also need to be developed that reduce the consumption of animal made products.  Communication of the need for conservation will help in the generation of a participatory approach and promote more holistic care for the individuals (Rosas 9). 

Conclusion

This paper provides a summary of the gorilla population in Africa and identifies their nature and characteristics. This paper also summarises their population and habitat through a risk assessment analysis and concludes that the population of gorillas in Africa is under a major threat. The human interventions and the anthropogenic developments of the gorillas in the regions indicate that these interventions have had a major impact on the gorillas in terms of their habitat and overall well-being. This paper also summarises the recommendations and the policy decisions that can be taken into consideration for ensuring the conservation of the gorillas in the region with minimisation of the anthropogenic activities. Through this paper, it can be concluded that there is a need to develop a greater focus on the conservation of gorillas with a systematic action through the development of policies and actions.

Before completion of this paper, I had limited knowledge of the state of gorillas in Africa. Hence, this paper was associated with the enrichment of my knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Therefore, through this paper, I was able to understand that there is a need for urgent intervention for gorilla conservation and focus on ensuring their wellbeing and support through consistent efforts.

Analysis and Recommendations

I was also able to deduce that even when gorillas have been highly gentle animals, their low reproductive rates and constant intervention of humans have resulted in a major impact on their wellbeing. Habitat destruction and isolation of gorillas have been associated with the inbreeding of the gorillas and a direct impact on their wellbeing. Hence, there is a need for systematic management and development of interventions focused on gorilla conservation. This information has been particularly valuable for me as it will help me develop an improved understanding of the different habitats of gorillas and how the process of their conversation is being initiated and implemented. 

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