| Threat |
Effect on Gorilla Population |
Conservation Efforts |
| Poaching |
- Gorillas are maimed or killed by traps set for other animals.
- Abduction of infants for illegal selling to zoos and as pets. This often results in other adult gorillas being killed in the process.
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- Increased patrolling using armed guards in protected forest areas.
- Karisoke’s guards find and remove some 1,000 snares each year.
- Gorilla censuses to monitor gorilla population.
- Karisoke Research Centre runs a facility for young gorillas rescued from poachers.
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| Habitat loss |
- Rapidly expanding human settlements are removing the gorilla habitat.
- Fragmentation of forested areas has resulted in the isolation of gorilla groups from each other, reducing genetic diversity.
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- Expansion of areas of national park to protect habitat.
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| Disease |
- Regular contact of tourists with the gorillas allows transmission of diseases from humans to the gorillas.
- Domestic animals and livestock also contribute to disease transmission.
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- Requirement to stay at least 7 meters from gorillas at all times.
- Better management of ecotourism.
- More education for local communities to minimise impact of livestock.
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| War and unrest |
- Refugees removing trees to create settlements and farms.
- Increased use of gorillas for meat by displaced peoples.
- Gorillas can be killed by land mines placed along forest paths.
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| Local communities |
- Habitat removal.
- Lack of support for conservation efforts due to insufficient education and awareness amongst locals.
- Poverty encourages the use of slash and burn agriculture to grow food.
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Karisoke Research centre has:
- Created Virunga biodiversity inventory and field guides, to support public education and ecotourism.
- Supplied primary school students with books and other materials.
- Run conservation programs for secondary schools.
- Provided biodiversity training for local park staff and conservation groups.
- Provide field courses and internships for Rwandan college students.
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