Kevin Foster

The results of the census carried out in the spring of 2010 in this area revealed that the number of mountain gorillas had increased by more than 26 per cent over the past seven years — an average growth rate of 3.7 per cent per year. Of the 480 mountain gorillas living in greater Virunga region, 14 were solitary silverback males, and the other animals were living in one of the 36 identified family groups. Adding to this the 306 gorillas known to be living in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in 2006, with those living in greater Virunga, and four orphans living in the Senkwekwe Centre, the total population for the critically endangered species adds up to 790. Although the number is so small, it is seen as something of a success and challenge. The region that the gorillas inhabit is one of human society’s most active ‘fault lines’ that has brought spectacular violence to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That there are 100 more gorillas now living in the forests of the Virunga mountains than there were in 2003 was seen as ‘astonishing’ by many researchers. And researchers are also encouraged by the fact that the population estimate may be conservative. Many of the individuals are habituated to the presence of conservationists which makes them very easy to count. But contact also provides insights into the traces left by other gorillas that are still beyond human contact. And, in spite of the political turmoil for many local human inhabitants, outside conservationists have paid tribute to the local people who conducted the census and have worked over the past seven years to help protect the mountain gorilla. Also, even the troubled governments have backed the efforts; the Ugandan Wildlife Authority, the Institute for the Conservation of Nature in Congo and the Rwanda Development Board all provided support.