Oil extraction and possible oil spills would disrupt wildlife and the people living in this area. Gorillas are incredibly communicative creatures. A mountain gorilla’s mainly plant-based diet is made up of 142 varieties of leaves, stems, shoots and fruits. The silverback protects its members and directs troop activities such as nesting, feeding and migration between seasonal feeding areas. The Mountain Gorillas of Virunga National Park. Gorillas walk on their knuckles, have dark brown irises encircled by black rings, and possess unique nose prints. Mount Muhabura also provides views of the five of the Virunga Volcanoes. Over one third of the estimated 1,000 remaining mountain gorillas live in the protected forests of Virunga National Park. The estimated number of mountain gorillas living on Earth is around 950. The Great Rift Picture Show: "Mountain Gorilla on one of the Virunga volcanos Kwanda. There are an estimated 1,000 remaining mountain gorillas in the wild, one third of which live in the Virunga mountains. Mountain gorillas normally live in groups known as troops, which are led by a dominant silverback. The Virunga mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)population is found in the Virunga Volcanoes Range (VVR), which spans the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. Mountain gorillas live in three National Parks in the Virunga mountains of Central Africa: Mgahinga in Uganda, Volcanoes in Rwanda, and Virunga in the Congo. The world’s smallest population of mountain gorillas—a subspecies of the eastern gorilla—is split in two and scientists have debated whether they may be two separate subspecies. Over one third of the estimated 1,000 remaining mountain gorillas live in the protected forests of Virunga National Park. Mountain gorilla adults, as well as having thicker and longer fur, tend to be smaller than other subspecies. Home Wildlife Primates Mountain Gorillas Mountain Gorilla Facts. Of the few remaining places left in the world to see endangered mountain gorillas, Virunga National Park stands as the most unique. They are located in the East African Rift Valley and it is alleged that they are park of this Rift. Senkwekwe is the world’s only centre for orphaned mountain gorillas, helping to deal with one of the most heartbreaking consequences of poaching. The overall population is now believed to be at over 1,000 individuals. The Virunga mountains/massif is made up of several of Africa’s finest and unique wildlife attractions such as the remaining population of mountain gorillas left in the world lives in the gazetted national parks found in these mountains such as Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, Virunga National Park of DR Congo and Mgahinga National Park of Uganda. The world’s entire population of endangered mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi, which spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. The streak of silver hair after which mature males are named develops following adolescence. Conservation efforts have led to an increase in overall population of the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Virungas and at Bwindi. Mountain gorillas are sub-species of the eastern gorillas and inhabit the dense jungles of the unique four national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the great Volcanoes National Park of … Around one third of the world’s mountain gorillas live in the resource-rich Virunga mountains, the exploitation of which threatens the species’ very existence. In the forested depths of eastern Congo lies Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth and home to the planet’s last remaining mountain gorillas. Despite their reputation as aggressive and dangerous,  mountain gorillas are known to be emotionally intelligent. From four months they begin clinging to their mothers’ backs, remaining there for two or three years. The mountain gorillas in these parks keep on migrating from one park to another in search of fruiting trees and leaves. In captivity, they have been known to live up to 50 years. The Mountain Gorillas of Virunga National Park The world’s entire population of critically endangered mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi National Park, which spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. Despite this, gorillas generally reside in a state of calm and subsist on a mainly herbivorous diet of roots, shoots, fruit, bark and pulp, with about 0.1% coming from invertebrates. Discover what observation and conservation efforts have revealed about this treasured, yet endangered great ape. They are located between Lake Edward and Lake Kivu. The mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park are big in number and like about 44 gorillas that can be seen at once on your gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. Mountain Gorilla on one of The Virunga Volcanoes, Kwanda. Virunga 2014 TV-MA 1h 40m Science & Nature Docs The Oscar-nominated true story of the rangers risking their lives to save Africa's most precious national park and its endangered gorillas. Conservation efforts have increased numbers to around 1,000 individuals, lifting the animal out of the IUCN critically endangered category into endangered. They use facial expressions, calls, postures and gestures to convey their intentions and feelings. Just like humans have finger prints, gorillas have nose prints that are unique for each one of them. Product ID: 2757275 / SCAN-IND-02757275. It lies on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Local communities rely on Lake Edward which feeds into the Nile. These primates are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, disease, and war. Many other endangered and vulnerable species live within the park’s borders, like the elephant and, numerous threatened ungulate species, and important hippo populations. Virunga Mountains & Mountain Gorillas The Virunga Mountains consist of eight mighty volcanoes (two of them active) that straddle the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The population has been the subject of much research and several censuses over the last 40 years. The world’s entire population of endangered mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi, which spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. The hike is worth as you can see a crater near to its summit and stunning views of Rwanda twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo. Virunga lies next to the Albert Rift Valley and Lake Edward. A bit more than half live in the Virunga Mountains, a range of extinct volcanoes that border the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. This photograph originates from a press photo archive. The Virunga massif region comprises of half the total mountain gorilla population distributed within the 3 national parks, with Volcanoes national park Rwanda having the highest number of gorillas with 10 habituated gorilla groups available for tracking by visitors, Virunga national park comprises of 6 gorilla groups and Mgahinga with the least number of gorillas with just one gorilla group. They live in groups of fascinating complexity called troops or bands, led by a dominant alpha male known as a silverback. One of the best ways to see a magnificent mountain gorilla in its natural habit is to go on a Virunga Mountains Safari in Rwanda.. These giant great apes can be found in only three countries which are; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Offer! Like most primates, mountain gorillas are social animals. Virunga National Park is home to around a third of those gorillas, which reside in the dense forests on the lush slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Far less abundant and more beautiful than oil or gold, this majestic great ape is the Congo’s real treasure. After nearly nine months of gestation, infants enter the world weighing only four pounds. Snow leopards in Central Asia, mountain gorillas in Virunga, Royal Bengal tigers in Bhutan and other species are affected by changes to wider ecosystems and … Virunga is Swahili for volcano. They have been observed grieving family members, touching noses to greet one another and singing when a particularly lush nesting site has been discovered. The species is distinguishable from most other kinds of primate by having evolved without a tail. Gorillas can live up to 40 years old in the wild. Living peacefully on the forested slopes of the Park’s volcanoes, mountain gorillas are highly intelligent, good natured, and fascinating to observe. In 1997 there were as few as 320 wild mountain gorillas. Most of their time is spent near the base of the mountains, where vegetation grows more densely. The gorillas’ biodiverse rainforest environment is stratified into specific vegetative zones based on altitude. Between 1990 and 1994, when large numbers of Rwandan refugees fled to camps at the edge of the Virunga National Park, 4 habituated silverback gorillas were killed, along with some of … A fitting name for these volcanic mountains with the highest point at 5,100 meters. Gorillas are able to be identified by observing an unlikely part of the head, with each individual having a unique noseprint. The Virunga Mountains (Virunga massif/Virunga ranges) is a block of Chain Mountains found in East – central Africa. Compared to their eastern lowland cousins, mountain gorillas have thick hair, an adaptation which protects them against the sub-zero temperatures often encountered at altitudes of 7 – 14,000 ft. In addition, there is another population in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)of the Virunga Massif – a range of volcanoes located within the Greater Virunga Landscape at the nexus of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda – are arguably the best-monitored subpopulation of great apes. Gorillas are one of our closest relatives, with humans sharing 98.3% of our DNA with the primate. The loss of mountain gorillas and the subsequent loss of tourism dollars would put increase… Corno van den Berg. Mountain gorillas in Virunga. The mountain gorillas are not alone in their reliance on the sanctuary of Virunga National Park. The air throughout the mountain’s zones is moist and misty, leading them to be known as cloud forests. The mountain gorillas are a critically endangered species and the Virunga Mountains is one of its last remaining habitats. The Virunga Mountains (also known as Mufumbiro ) are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa, along the northern border of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda. Threatened by extinction Despite extensive conservation measures, these great apes are under threat from human activity. Mount Muhaburais shared by Uganda and Rwanda, the name is derived from a local word to mean Sentinel. Muhabura stands at an elevation of 4,127 meters above sea level. There are about a thousand mountain gorillas remaining on Earth, and about half live in the forests of the Virunga mountains in central Africa. As many as 15 of Virunga's mountain gorillas may have been killed since the outbreak of civil war in 1990. The largest group ever encountered was 65 members strong. The mountain Gorilla Sanctuary in Rwanda, the Virunga Mountains. Its usually takes tourists only one d… Virunga National Park, Africa’s most biodiverse protected area, exists to protect 1/3 of the world’s wild mountain gorillas, over one thousand species of mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian, and provide a brighter future to more than four million people affected by conflict. Its one of the steepest to climb. Challenges to dominant silverbacks are met with impressive displays of strength and aggression, including charges, chest-beating, and vocal intimidation. Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.It was created in 1925 and is among the first protected areas in Africa. (Neil Ever Osborne) Far left, a silverback in Volcanoes National Park. The Mountain Gorillas of the Virunga Volcanoes inhabit an area that is shared between three countries, the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. Gorillas regularly migrate between troops, a behaviour which prevents interbreeding and allows subordinate silverbacks the opportunity to lead a troop and thereby mate with females. Despite beginning life so small, adult males typically weigh 430 pounds and can stand five feet tall. A juvenile mountain gorilla in Virunga National Park. A male mountain gorilla, weighing up … A gorilla trekking permit in Virunga national park goes for 400 USD which is the cheapest compared to Uganda’s permit that is 600 USD and Rwanda’s permit that goes for 1500 USD. The name "Virunga" is an English version of the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means "volcanoes". Virunga National Park is home to around a third of those gorillas, which reside in the dense forests on the lush slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Learn more about the threats Virunga’s mountain gorillas face and what’s being done to protect them from harm. The Virunga Mountains: Virunga Volcanoes is a chain of about 8 volcanoes. Compared to their eastern lowland cousins, mountain gorillas have thick hair, an adaptation which protects them against the sub-zero temperatures often encountered at … Thus, a number of protected areas in the form of national parks have been established in the mountain region. 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Book Now +250-780-870-670 +256-701-703-573 … The five of the Virunga Volcanoes inhabit an area that is shared between three countries which are led a! 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