Wildlife

Welfare of Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas face ongoing welfare threats from habitat encroachment, disease transmission from humans, and the psychological impacts of poaching and snare injuries.

Key Facts

Only about 1,000 mountain gorillas survive in the Virunga massif and Bwindi
Human disease transmission is a major health threat to habituated gorilla groups
Snare injuries from traps set for other animals maim and kill gorillas
Gorillas live in stable family groups with complex emotional and social bonds
Conservation tourism has created economic incentives for local gorilla protection

Welfare Considerations

Mountain gorillas suffer welfare harms from snare injuries, human disease exposure, and the psychological disruption of losing family members to poaching. Their social complexity means the grief and trauma from group disruption creates suffering beyond physical injury.

What You Can Do

Support Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Gorilla Doctors
Choose responsible gorilla trekking operators that minimize disease transmission risk
Donate to snare removal patrol programs in the Virungas
Advocate for habitat protection around gorilla national parks