Like other wildlife, mountain gorillas also have predators in their natural habitat. The advantage they have though is that they are huge and strong, this is why they have only a few predators compared to other wildlife species. Leopards and crocodiles are the known predators to mountain gorillas especially the gorilla babies / infants.
Adult male mountain gorillas are rarely preyed by leopards, but they usually do especially for western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Leopards often avoid silverbacks because of their size and strength then target the infants / baby gorillas or off springs.
Predators don’t risk hunting a huge family of mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are powerful and they live in family groups ranging from 2-40 individuals. Each group is led by dominant male (silverback), a mature male and he takes its name from its silvery gray hair which grows on their backs at mature age.
When a family of gorillas feels threatened, they behave differently. The adult males (the leaders) produce intense smell and emit sounds then the rest of the members can gather around their leader or hug each other. Protecting the rest of the gorilla members is one of the key responsibilities the silverback gorillas play. He protects them from attacks and as their leader fights back, the young males can lead the rest of the members away from danger or attack from the enemy.
Human activities have proven to be the biggest threat to survival of mountain gorillas in the wild. Human activities such as illegal hunting/poaching, civil wars and habitat loss due to mining, farming etc. People living near gorilla safari parks often clear vegetation to create space for farming activities yet forests play a significant part or as a home to these large apes.
On the other hand, being our closest relatives, they are susceptible to human infectious diseases. Humans and mountain gorillas share up to 98% DNA.
Mountain Gorilla Diet.
Mountain gorillas live in the forests and their largest diet comes from leaves, plants, fruits, bamboo, nettles, etc. They feed largely on succulent plants and this is one reason why they rarely drink water.
What is the size of a mountain gorilla?
Mountain gorillas are huge, with males growing up to the height of about 161 to 171cm, arm span 2-2.7m and weigh 120 to 191kgs. The females are slightly smaller, weighing between 70 and 98kgs. Mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas form the main species – the Eastern gorilla, but eastern lowland gorillas are slightly bigger.
Where do mountain gorillas stay?
Mountain gorilla habitat include the Albertine rift montane forest areas in Africa; that is the Virunga Mountain ranges. They occupy the high altitudinal area of 2,200m to 4300m and most of the families can be spotted at the slopes of the volcanoes like Visoke / Bisoke, Mikeno and Karisimbi. They live in a dense vegetation and requires clearing using machete -this can be done by the park guide on actual gorilla trekking.
The Virunga Mountain areas to visit to see mountain gorillas include Virunga National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park. The rest live in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Southwestern Uganda.
Population of mountain gorillas on earth.
Not more than 1063 mountain gorillas still exist on planet earth today and strictly, they can be visited in the 4 parks mentioned above. Two national parks exist in Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park), Virunga National Park in the D.R. Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
The cost of gorilla permits in Congo, Rwanda and Uganda?
It is possible to visit Congo, Rwanda or Uganda for a gorilla safari holiday, but tourists can only be allowed to track mountain gorillas when they have presented valid gorilla permits. If you are visiting Uganda, then prepare USD 800 to secure a gorilla permit that will allow you trek any of the country’s 24 habituated gorilla families. 23 groups in Bwindi national park and 1 group of mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
How to obtain a Uganda gorilla permit? The easiest option to have your Uganda gorilla permit booked early is by dealing with a reliable tour operator in Uganda. PS: You can not purchase a gorilla permit directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority unless you are a licensed local tour operator. That is why we do it on your behalf and you only come for actual gorilla trekking adventures to see these beautiful apes.
In Rwanda, gorilla permits for tracking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park are available at USD 1500. A local tour operator plays an important role when it comes to organizing tailor-made gorilla safaris, booking gorilla permits, etc. Or you can deal directly with Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
If you are crossing to D.R. Congo, gorilla permit costs USD 400 per person and this applies to tourists with plans to see either mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas in the wild. Congo mountain gorillas exist in the Virunga National Park and lowland gorillas are in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (open for trekking), but others live in Maiko National Park in eastern part of the country.
