Feature Photo Credit: Mark Fernley
I’ll never forget the first time I saw a mountain gorilla. It was about twenty-five years ago in Uganda’s Virunga National Park, after a three-hour trek through thick, tangled forest. I can still feel the damp air, hear the crunch of leaves underfoot, and remember how the mist clung to the trees. Then the forest grew strangely still, and a silverback stepped into a shaft of light. He moved with calm authority, his family all around him—babies clambering up vines like acrobats, mothers steady and watchful, juveniles hovering between curiosity and caution —whilst the silverback rested on massive haunches, twice the size of the young females, methodically stripping leaves from branches. When our eyes met, I was struck by how hauntingly familiar his face seemed, as if he carried echoes of our own. That moment has never left me. Each year on World Gorilla Day, I find myself back in that quiet forest, reminded why these animals matter so deeply.
Every year on 24th September, we celebrate World Gorilla Day—a moment to honor these incredible creatures, reflect on their precarious future, and recommit to the work that keeps them alive. There are only around 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild, confined to two tiny regions in East-Central Africa. They are our close relatives, sharing up to 98% of their DNA with us, and are integral parts of our ecosystems. They deserve every effort we can muster to protect them.
ABOUT WORLD GORILLA DAY
World Gorilla Day serves as an annual reminder that, although small victories have been achieved in conservation efforts, the larger battle persists. This day emphasises the ongoing work in conservation, which ranges from meticulous population censuses to community initiatives that encourage people to protect gorilla habitats instead of destroying them. It’s an opportunity to turn empathy into action: by funding rangers, donating to conservation organisations, choosing eco-friendly tourism operators, and understanding the importance of gorilla survival for everyone.
Beyond the emotional impact of witnessing such a great creature in its natural habitat, World Gorilla Day keeps the focus on the practical measures needed to safeguard gorillas. These include scientific monitoring, protected area management, community development programmes, and responsible tourism that channels income back to local communities. These combined strategies are the reason gorilla populations have seen an increase over the decades; a fragile success that we must not take for granted.
Gorilla Census: Measuring Hope in the Forest
One of the most promising aspects of gorilla conservation is the census. Although it may not seem glamorous, these surveys form the backbone of effective conservation efforts. Conducting the mountain gorilla census is a rigorous and often labour-intensive task: teams traverse predetermined routes, known as “recces”, through montane forests, maintaining a distance of no more than 500 meters apart while searching for nests, tracks, and dung. When a nest is located, a DNA sample is collected to ensure each individual is counted only once. Sweeps are carried out over several weeks and are repeated to enhance accuracy. A thorough and painstaking process that reveals whether gorilla populations are increasing, stable, or declining.
The last comprehensive census took place in 2018. Thanks to years of dedicated protection, the mountain gorilla population has improved sufficiently to change its status from “critically endangered” to just “endangered.” This significant progress is due to the unwavering efforts of park rangers, community collaborations, veterinary care, and carefully managed tourism.
However, the data also highlights the fragility of this balance: populations remain small, their range is limited, and various threats still loom. The upcoming census, which conservationists are currently preparing for, will be crucial in monitoring recovery and determining where future protection efforts should be directed. Leave a comment if you’d like me to keep you updated on the topic!
WHY ARE GORILLAS ENDANGERED?
The truth is that the challenges facing mountain gorillas cannot be attributed to a single cause; rather, it’s a web of pressures impacting their limited populations from various angles. Below, I will outline the primary drivers to help us grasp the scale and complexity of this issue.
Habitat Loss & Fragmentation
Gorillas inhabit a limited range of high-altitude forests, specifically the Virunga Massif (which spans Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC) and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. As human populations grow, forests are cleared for fuel, agricultural land, and expanding settlements, encroaching upon protected areas. This encroachment limits the habitat available to gorillas, fragments populations into isolated groups, and makes intergroup movement dangerous. Such fragmentation heightens the risk of inbreeding and restricts access to seasonal food sources, both detrimental factors for already small populations of gorillas.
Mining, Oil and Extractives
Of course, those protected landscapes are never safe from commercial interest. The threat of oil exploration and other extractive industries looms large: at one point, large oil concessions covered much of Virunga National Park, a direct conflict between industry and conservation. Mines and drilling operations carve roads, bring heavy machinery and workers, and ignite habitat degradation. Once concessions are granted, the damage can be deep and long-lasting, threatening both gorillas and the other animals, plants and communities that depend on healthy ecosystems.
Climate Change
Mountain gorillas face significant climatic limitations: they inhabit cool, montane environments and have no higher altitudes to escape to as temperatures continue to rise. Climate change also impacts the availability of their food sources by altering plant distribution, changing rainfall patterns, and heightening the risk of floods or droughts that transform their forest habitat. The dual challenges of rising temperatures and habitat loss force gorillas into increasingly smaller and more vulnerable safe spaces.
Disease and Human-Gorilla Contact
Gorillas, just like us humans, are susceptible to a variety of illnesses, with respiratory diseases posing a particularly lethal threat to gorillas. Just one cough from an infected person or habituated tourist can lead to catastrophic outbreaks within a small group of them. As human activities such as collecting firewood, farming, or settling increase in forested areas, the risk of pathogen transmission escalates. This is why implementing strict health protocols, such as wearing masks, maintaining distance, and limiting viewing times, is crucial when humans venture into gorilla habitats.
Poaching and Snares
Although intentional hunting of gorillas is, fortunately, uncommon at this point in history, snares designed for other animals remain a continual threat. A rusty wire set for antelope can injure or kill a gorilla, leading to severe and costly injuries. Additionally, the poaching of different species disrupts the food web and can elevate human activity in gorilla habitats, further exacerbating the risks they face.
Human-Wildlife Conflict & Agricultural Pressures
When agricultural fields adjoin forests, gorillas occasionally invade these areas in search of food, resulting in conflicts with farmers who cannot sustain crop losses. In the absence of effective compensation schemes or alternative livelihood options, communities may resort to retaliation or lose their willingness to protect wildlife. To address this issue, buffer projects such as tea plantations, which are unappealing to gorillas, are being implemented in certain regions to deter these animals from cultivated lands. Additionally, revenue-sharing from eco-tourism provides communities with an incentive to safeguard their habitats. And these projects are a real hope to tackle these issues.
Political Instability & Armed Conflict
Many mountain gorilla habitats are located in areas that have faced civil unrest. Such conflicts create hazardous conditions for conservation efforts and disrupt park management. When governance weakens and resources diminish, illegal activities tend to rise, leading to a breakdown in protection efforts and leaving gorillas exceptionally vulnerable.
Due to their population of approximately a thousand individuals, mountain gorillas are particularly vulnerable to unpredictable events. Disease outbreaks, poor breeding years, or sudden habitat loss can significantly impact their numbers. Additionally, small populations face a higher risk of inbreeding, which can diminish their ability to cope with emerging threats.
WHY SHOULD WE PROTECT GORILLAS?
We don’t protect gorillas just because they’re charismatic (though that helps!). They play essential ecological roles. As large herbivores, they help shape forest structure through feeding patterns and seed dispersal, supporting plant diversity and forest regeneration. Healthy gorilla populations are indicators of intact, functioning mountain ecosystems: ecosystems that provide freshwater, carbon storage and livelihoods for people downstream.
There are also social and economic benefits. Well-managed, low-impact eco-tourism brings jobs and income for local communities: guides, lodges, transport, and local artisans, all of which create practical reasons for people to conserve forests. When local people see tangible benefits from keeping gorillas alive, they become allies for conservation.
Finally, there’s a moral dimension to this: gorillas share so much of our biology and sociality that their fate speaks to how we value life on this planet. Protecting them is a test of our collective stewardship.
A HIGHLIGHT ON DIANE FOSSEY’S LEGACY
No commemoration of World Gorilla Day would be complete without acknowledging Dian Fossey, whose legacy is intricately linked to the narrative of mountain gorillas.
Born in 1932, Fossey discovered her true passion when anthropologist Louis Leakey encouraged her to study gorillas in the Virunga Mountains. In 1966, she established the Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda, embarking on a research journey that transformed global perceptions of these magnificent creatures. Prior to her efforts, gorillas were frequently misrepresented, often seen as aggressive and dangerous. Fossey’s innovative approach dispelled this misconception. By spending countless years with these animals, imitating their gestures, and observing their behaviours, she unveiled gorillas as gentle, intelligent, and deeply social beings with intricate family dynamics. Her bestselling book, Gorillas in the Mist (1983), along with its film adaptation, brought their struggles to the forefront, igniting worldwide awareness and support.
Carrying Forward Fossey’s Fight for Gorillas
However, Fossey was not just a scientist; she was also a fierce advocate. She fought tirelessly against poachers, dismantling traps, organising patrols, and exposing the illegal wildlife trade that endangered gorillas. Her bold approach garnered both supporters and adversaries. Tragically, in 1985, Fossey was murdered at Karisoke under suspicious circumstances, a violent conclusion that highlighted the perils faced by those dedicated to conservation.
Yet, her legacy endures. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International continues her vital work through research, education, and community engagement. Conservation strategies rooted in her teachings have aided mountain gorillas in recovering from the brink of extinction to a fragile resurgence, a significant achievement reflected in 2018 when the IUCN reclassified them from critically endangered to endangered.
On this World Gorilla Day, Fossey’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of what dedication and determination can accomplish. Her story illustrates that every voice, every effort, and every commitment to conservation is significant. By drawing inspiration from her legacy, we can help ensure that gorillas and the wild habitats they rely on endure for future generations.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
When I reflect on that silverback in Virunga, I feel a mixture of wonder and urgency. The recent improvements are proof that conservation works when people, money and science come together, but the job isn’t done yet. Looking ahead, the strategy must be integrated: secure and expand habitats, tighten controls on extractive industries, reduce human-gorilla disease transmission, remove snares, sustain funding for ranger teams and veterinary work, and scale community programmes that make conservation a local priority.
On World Gorilla Day: A Call to Protect What We Cherish
You can help. Support organisations doing on-the-ground work—as well as local mountain gorilla programmes, and Gorilla Doctors. You can also choose responsible tourism operators who return benefits to local communities, adopt a gorilla through reputable programmes, and spread the word on World Gorilla Day. Advocate for policies that safeguard protected areas from extractive threats and push for funding that supports long-term monitoring and community resilience.
I wanted to take a moment to remember that silverback in the mist and let that memory fuel action. Protecting gorillas is not a conservation niche—it is a measure of how we honour our responsibility to the natural world. With that in mind, here are some of the remarkable organisations leading the way in gorilla conservation, and how you can support their vital work.
ways to contribute
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Continuing Dian Fossey’s legacy, this charity focuses on research, education, and community engagement to protect gorillas. You can donate directly to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International through their website. You can also support the charity by symbolically adopting a gorilla, or you can purchase supplies needed by the charity through their Amazon Wishlist. You can also support gorillas by giving yourself the gift of a gorilla-tracking bracelet? Next to the bracelet, you’d get a picture and the name of your gorilla, gain knowledge of their amazing stories, and be able to follow along as they traverse on an exclusive tracking map.
Gorilla Doctors
This organisation provides the only dedicated veterinary care program for gorillas. A team of veterinarians monitors and treats mountain and Grauer’s gorillas across their native range, while also rescuing and rehabilitating orphans. You can donate directly to Gorilla Doctors through their website. You can also support the charity by becoming a symbolic Gorilla Guardian, or by purchasing items from their online shop.
World Wild Fund for Nature - WWF
African Wildlife Foundation
Pan African Sanctuary Alliance
Founded in 2000, PASA is the largest network of wildlife centers in Africa, supporting 23 sanctuaries across 13 countries. It funds projects like the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project, which rescues gorillas from poachers and the bushmeat trade. You can donate directly to the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance through their website. You can also become a Primate Protector by donating monthly, or you support the charity by volunteering.
Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE)
GRACE provides 24-hour care to gorilla infants orphaned by poachers, eventually reintegrating them into larger groups in their natural habitat. The charity also runs education programs and conservation clubs in local communities to foster knowledge and respect for gorillas.
Founded in 1992 by Dian Fossey, GRACE supports anti-poaching patrols in Africa, funds rainforest rangers who remove snares, rescue injured gorillas, and collect vital conservation data. Innovative initiatives, like pedal-powered cinemas and sustainable farming projects, further support both gorillas and local communities. You can donate directly to the Gorilla Rehabilitation And Conservation Education Organization through their website. Alternatively, you can symbolically adopt one of their orphaned gorillas through their Virtual Adoption Program.
Fauna & Flora International (FFI)
FFI addresses species and habitat decline through advocacy, anti-poaching efforts, and community education. In 1979, FFI co-founded the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) with David Attenborough and other partners. The initiative promotes cross-border collaboration among the three countries where mountain gorillas live, reduces poaching, and protects crucial gorilla habitats. You can donate directly to Fauna & Flora International through their website. Alternatively, you can sign up to become a member of the charity by donating a set amount monthly or annually, where you will receive annual updates on their work and achievements.
Born Free Foundation
The Born Free Foundation campaigns against the wildlife and bushmeat trades that threaten great apes. It partners with the Limbe Wildlife Center in Cameroon, which cares for over 360 animals, many of them orphaned gorillas. The charity also funds the Grauer’s Gorilla Conservation Initiative, which researches, monitors, and protects Grauer’s gorillas in Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park. You can donate directly to the Born Free Foundation through their website. You can also support the charity by adopting an animal or by purchasing items from their online shop.
and finally....
The census teams trekking through Bwindi and the Virungas are doing more than counting gorillas—they’re counting hope. Every estimate, DNA sample, and ranger patrol adds to a growing knowledge base that will guide conservation efforts for years to come. By holding onto that knowledge and acting on it, we can be optimistic about the future. These incredible animals have survived centuries of change; with careful, collective effort, they can endure alongside us.
With hope and determination,
Suzi x