The endangered mountain gorillas could be in for a boost and a census has been set to reveal how many are left in the Virunga massif. Remember, the Virunga Massif is an area that spans Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo<strong>. </strong>Currently, estimates show there are about 900 mountain gorillas remaining in the whole world. Over half of these great apes appeared to be left in the Virunga Volcanoes, a region in which there are three national parks.
According to the recent survey though the conservation efforts are taking effect, there are still more challenges ahead most especially in the Virunga National Park in the DRC. The 2012 Census put the population of the mountain gorillas was estimated to be 480 individuals and the second population of around 400 mountain gorillas live in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
It should be noted that safeguarding the gorillas’ survival is very essential though the exploitation of the land for agriculture and the timber trade has devastated the habitat, while new roads built for timber trucks have made it easier for poachers to reach the gorillas. There has been organizing of patrols between each of the three countries and we meet to exchange information about the endangered mountain gorillas however another threat looming however in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a target for oil exploitation.
Today the park is a UNESCO world heritage site, but, if the Congolese government goes ahead with oil plans, the park could lose its status. There will be an impact on gorillas because more than seventy (70%) of the park will be affected.
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