Mountain Gorilla Population Increases, Conservation Status Improves
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The world's last mountain gorillas have seen their population increase by 73% since 1989, leading to their reclassification from 'critically endangered' to 'endangered'. Approximately 1,063 gorillas remain in the Greater Virunga Landscape spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rangers are increasingly using a cellphone-based software platform to protect the gorillas and their habitats.
Facts First
- Mountain gorilla population has grown 73% since 1989, with approximately 1,063 remaining.
- Species reclassified from 'critically endangered' to 'endangered' based on population recovery.
- Gorillas live exclusively in the Greater Virunga Landscape across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Rangers are using the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) to build maps, analyze data, and deploy personnel.
- SMART data is used as evidence in prosecutions and to determine patrol routes in protected areas.
What Happened
The population of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) has increased by 73% since 1989. This recovery has led to the subspecies being reclassified from 'critically endangered' to 'endangered'. There are now approximately 1,063 mountain gorillas remaining. Rangers in the region are increasing the use of a cellphone-based software platform, the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART), to protect the gorillas and their habitats.
Why this Matters to You
This successful conservation effort demonstrates that coordinated international action can reverse the decline of iconic species. The improvement in status may lead to increased stability for tourism economies in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which rely on gorilla viewing. The use of technology like SMART could serve as a model for protecting other endangered wildlife around the world, potentially making conservation efforts more efficient and effective.
What's Next
The continued use of SMART data to prosecute poachers and strategically deploy rangers may help further secure the gorilla population. However, the gorillas remain endangered and face ongoing threats from poaching, habitat loss to farming and logging, and accidental capture in snares. Conservation efforts in the Greater Virunga Landscape will likely need to remain intensive to sustain the population growth.