Eastern lowland gorillas are Critically Endangered, affected by armed conflict, mining, and bushmeat hunting. Their welfare and survival depend on peace and conservation funding.
Eastern lowland gorilla welfare is inseparable from the human conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Armed groups hunting gorillas for bushmeat, mining operations destroying habitat, and refugees fleeing conflict using forests for survival all compound to create one of the most challenging wildlife welfare situations globally. Rangers protecting gorillas have been killed in conflicts with armed groups. Supporting conservation organizations working in these extraordinarily difficult conditions requires recognition of the human security dimensions of wildlife protection. Consumer choices about coltan in electronics — choosing certified conflict-free minerals — directly affect the funding available to armed groups operating in gorilla habitat.