Mountain gorillas are endangered species mostly found in three countries; Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rwanda in Parc de Volcanoes and in Virunga in Congo. These gorillas have attracted many gorilla trekking safaris to all the above countries but however, they are threatened by many factors which have  reduce their numbers.

Habitant loss has proved one of the threats to mountain gorillas, this is because many local people live near the mountain gorillas, their need to expand and need to cultivate has somewhat reduced the forests where the endangered species live, more so, need for more land for settlement has greatly affected the mountain gorillas hence reducing their numbers since some are killed by the local people hence affecting the mountain gorilla tracking safaris.

Another threat that is affecting the mountain gorillas is hunting, gorillas especially in Congo are hunted for meat and others for trophies, this is not good since the big ones are killed and the infants are left with no one to take care of them. This has affected the mountain gorillas since they have continued to reduce in numbers hence reducing the gorilla safaris because tourists want to and see many gorillas than a few.

Another threat especially to the Virunga gorillas is the oil and gas exploration were by gas companies have been granted permission to extract oil from Virunga National Park, which is a home to over 400 gorillas, even though the gorillas live far away from the oil extraction area, this development in the park will negatively affect the animals’ security hence affecting mountain gorilla safaris to the park.

War and insecurity is another common threat the mountain gorillas, like in the Virunga National Park, many gorillas have been killed by the rebels which has led to reduction in the number of gorillas in Virunga National park.

Lastly , Diseases have affected many gorillas , because as more people come to visit the gorillas in their habitats, these endangered animals get exposed to human diseases hence some have ended up dying, thus affected their numbers which is a threat to gorilla tours.

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