Ecology of Mountain Gorillas: There are about 700 mountain gorillas left in the globe, and they are only found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bwindi is home to approximately 60% of these gorillas.
These animals reside in families just like humans, with the silverback male being the head of the family. It takes approximately two years to acclimatize these primates to human presence.
Male gorillas are typically twice as large as females and weigh between 350 and 500 pounds. Males have metallic backs, earning them the moniker silverbacks. The mountain gorillas are darker and have longer hair than their lowland counterparts. They can survive up to 50 years.
These mountain gorillas are herbivores and consume only vegetation. Therefore, we locate them on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains, where the plants they eat thrive.
Gorillas travel great distances in search of food, particularly during times of scarcity. Each day, an adult gorilla consumes approximately 60 pounds of vegetation.
Ecological aspects of Mountain Gorillas.
Despite being muscular and robust, gorillas are affectionate and gentle. They reside in clusters of 2 to 30 individuals. Gorillas mate continuously throughout the year. Female gorillas give birth around the age of 12 and have a maximum of six offspring in their lifetime.
In east-central Africa, there are only two isolated populations of mountain gorillas: one in the Virunga Volcanoes (a region encompassing three national parks in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)) and one in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
When male young at age 11 leave their original group and move with other females for approximately one year before forming their own group and breeding.
A mother gorilla cares for her young for approximately four years, while the silverback is responsible for orphans and weaning.