Introduction
Scientific Name: Gorilla beringei beringei
The Mountain Gorilla, at a population of only 786, these gentle creatures are facing extinciton. The name may give it away, seeing as the Mountain Gorilla lives in forest areas, reaching heights of up to 8,000 and 13,000 feet of elevation.
Each day, a Mountain Gorilla's habitat is destroyed for agriculture and livestock clearences.
As Mountain Gorilla's come into contact with humans, they become vulnerable to catching harmful diseases, where humans may experience it slightly, a Mountain Gorilla will be severely threatened, for example, a simple cold could kill them.
Even slight veterinary treatment could cause a greater survival rate in the Mountain Gorillas.
In some cases, people harvest charcoal for use as fuel, this has destroyed the Mountain Gorillla habitat, not only is it illegal, it is wrong and murders innocent animals.
The Mountain Gorilla, at a population of only 786, these gentle creatures are facing extinciton. The name may give it away, seeing as the Mountain Gorilla lives in forest areas, reaching heights of up to 8,000 and 13,000 feet of elevation.
Each day, a Mountain Gorilla's habitat is destroyed for agriculture and livestock clearences.
As Mountain Gorilla's come into contact with humans, they become vulnerable to catching harmful diseases, where humans may experience it slightly, a Mountain Gorilla will be severely threatened, for example, a simple cold could kill them.
Even slight veterinary treatment could cause a greater survival rate in the Mountain Gorillas.
In some cases, people harvest charcoal for use as fuel, this has destroyed the Mountain Gorillla habitat, not only is it illegal, it is wrong and murders innocent animals.
FUN FACTS
- Can grow up to 6 feet tall
- Can weigh up to 300 to 425 pounds
- They are vegetarians
- Rarely attack humans, although a distance from them is much safer
- Their predators are leopards, crocodiles and humans
-The Mountain Gorilla can be located in the Virunga mountains, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
- Can weigh up to 300 to 425 pounds
- They are vegetarians
- Rarely attack humans, although a distance from them is much safer
- Their predators are leopards, crocodiles and humans
-The Mountain Gorilla can be located in the Virunga mountains, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
The Mountain Gorilla has been classified as Critically endangered since 1996, before that, the Mountain Gorilla had just been endangered from 1986-1996. Contributors to their decrease in numbers include: Habitat Loss, Hunting, Oil and Gas Exploration, War and Instability, Disease and Humans.
WWF has been working for over 40 years to save the Mountain Gorilla and their forest, although they are also aiming to protect all Gorilla's.
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/gorillas/save_solutions_gorillas/
WWF has been working for over 40 years to save the Mountain Gorilla and their forest, although they are also aiming to protect all Gorilla's.
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/gorillas/save_solutions_gorillas/
Habitat
An adult and baby Mountain Gorilla
Their habitat is constantly being destroyed, which makes their life very stressful. This causes these once beautiful, gentle and harmless animals to grow more angry and use their natural instincts.
Each Mountain Gorilla is very close with each family member, an adult male, called a Silverback normally leads the group, becoming the chief defender and protector.
These large animals require a lot of food, this includes mostly plants like: thistles, bamboo, wild celery and bamboo, these foods play as their moisture source, and so, the Mountain Gorilla does not need much water.
To avoid conflict between male Mountain Gorillas, they scream, grab foliage, tear up and throw plants, drum on their chest with heir hands or fists, stamp their feet, stand on their hind legs and strike the ground with their palms and gallop in a mock attac
Each Mountain Gorilla is very close with each family member, an adult male, called a Silverback normally leads the group, becoming the chief defender and protector.
These large animals require a lot of food, this includes mostly plants like: thistles, bamboo, wild celery and bamboo, these foods play as their moisture source, and so, the Mountain Gorilla does not need much water.
To avoid conflict between male Mountain Gorillas, they scream, grab foliage, tear up and throw plants, drum on their chest with heir hands or fists, stamp their feet, stand on their hind legs and strike the ground with their palms and gallop in a mock attac
Adaptations
The Mountain Gorillas tough feet allow it to glide easily through the grass and rough terrain, this comes in handy when being chased by a predator.
The Mountain Gorilla's size itself allows it to intimidate smaller animals, and when forced to fight with another animal, its strength and height really helps it out.
The Mountain Gorilla is one of the hairiest Gorillas, which helps them adapt especially in freezing cold nights.
The Mountain Gorilla's size itself allows it to intimidate smaller animals, and when forced to fight with another animal, its strength and height really helps it out.
The Mountain Gorilla is one of the hairiest Gorillas, which helps them adapt especially in freezing cold nights.
Food Chain/ Food Web
- Wild Berries---> Mountain Gorilla--->Poacher
2. Thistles------->Gorilla--------->Leopard-------->Poacher
(producer) (herbivore) (consumer) (omnivore)
3. Bamboo---->Gorilla-------->Crocodile-------->Poacher
The Food Web above shows that the Crocodile eats the Gorilla, the Gorilla eats the Bamboo, the Crocodile eats the Antelope, the Antelope eats teh Grass, the Leopard eats the Gorilla, and the Leopard eats the Antelope. Nothing in this food web eats the Leopard or Crocodile.
Threats to the species
There are many threats towards the Mountain Gorilla, the largest of all is Habitat Loss, this is due to destruction of their land, their trees, their food, and humans leaving them out there to die. Humans are a large factor in the Mountain Gorilla's critical endangerement, especially because of poaching (killing the animal for its skin/fur) and as prior mentioned, destroying its home. For more information see top of the page.
In the Long-Term, the Gorilla may become extinct, something no-one wants to happen, in the short-term, they will become even more critically endangered, this is if no one helps them, if they are continually hunted and killed off.
In the Long-Term, the Gorilla may become extinct, something no-one wants to happen, in the short-term, they will become even more critically endangered, this is if no one helps them, if they are continually hunted and killed off.
Impacts that the loss of Mountain Gorillas will have on the ecosystem
If the Mountain Gorilla becomes extinct, its predators will have much less food to eat, and because it is such a large animal, each time they eat one, they become full for longer, if all crocodiles began to eat just antelopes for example, constantly, then they too would soon become extinct, because of all its other predators. It may not seem like it, but the Mountain Gorilla has a very crucial role in its ecosystem, it is just some of the glue holding it all together, metaphorically speaking.
Conservation Action
The WWF is especially trying to prevent the extinction of the Mountain Gorilla, through volunteer work and charity drives.
5 tips to save the Mountain Gorilla
- when in close distance to one, stand back, as it may transfer harmful diseases to the Gorilla, which can be very severe
- Take part in Gorilla- associated foundations, for example, "Gorilla Events"
- Buy Merchandise that is related to Gorillas, which support organisations such as "the Gorilla organization"
- Go to Rwanda and visit the Mountain Gorillas
- Adopt a Gorilla
For more information, click the links below
http://www.gorillaevents.com/
http://www.gorillas.org/Shop
http://gorillafund.org/take-action/adopt
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/gorillas/save_solutions_gorillas/
5 tips to save the Mountain Gorilla
- when in close distance to one, stand back, as it may transfer harmful diseases to the Gorilla, which can be very severe
- Take part in Gorilla- associated foundations, for example, "Gorilla Events"
- Buy Merchandise that is related to Gorillas, which support organisations such as "the Gorilla organization"
- Go to Rwanda and visit the Mountain Gorillas
- Adopt a Gorilla
For more information, click the links below
http://www.gorillaevents.com/
http://www.gorillas.org/Shop
http://gorillafund.org/take-action/adopt
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/gorillas/save_solutions_gorillas/
What I do to help
I, myself have adopted an Orang-utan, and it is so easy and simple, something so small can make such a large impact. Also, by recycling old phones, for example, to the Werribee Zoo, they put that into saving animals, and raising money. Making people aware is also very important, something I have done here, shown how hard things are for them, and how we need to help!
Anyone can help out, you do not have to be famous, just simply donating money can save a Gorilla, or recycling an old phone can make a huge difference. The WWF, a very famous and important association is helping, so you can too.
The Government's laws on poaching aren't as strict as they should be, because although it is illegal, it is still happening, killing this innocent animal.
Anyone can help out, you do not have to be famous, just simply donating money can save a Gorilla, or recycling an old phone can make a huge difference. The WWF, a very famous and important association is helping, so you can too.
The Government's laws on poaching aren't as strict as they should be, because although it is illegal, it is still happening, killing this innocent animal.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Hominidae
Genus: Gorilla
Species: G. beringei
Subspecies: G. b. berengei
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Hominidae
Genus: Gorilla
Species: G. beringei
Subspecies: G. b. berengei
Bibliography
N/A, N/A, N.D, Mountain Gorilla Facts, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September, 2012,
http://www.outtoafrica.nl/animals/enggorilla.html?zenden=2&subsoort_id=1&bestemming_id=1
N/A, N/A, N.D, WWF - Mountain gorilla, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September, 2012, http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/gorillas/mountain_gorilla/
N/A, N/A, N.D, Mountain Gorilla, N/A, N/A, N/A, 17th of September, 2012, http://www.meandmephoto.com/Africa/Pages/Gorillas/GorThink.html
N/A, N/A, N.D, 5 Ways to Save the Mountain Gorillas, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September 2012, http://green-buzz.net/environment/5-ways-to-help-save-the-mountain-gorillas/
N/A, N/A, N.D, Mountain Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda | Uganda Safaris and Wildlife Tours, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September, 2012, http://www.gorillatreks.com/mountain_gorillas.htm
N/A, N/A, N.D, Endangered Species: Gorilla,N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September, 2012 http://www.un.org/works/OLD/environment/animalplanet/gorilla.html
N/A, N/A,N.D, Mountain Gorilla an Endangered Species at Bagheera, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September, 2012, http://bagheera.com/inthewild/van_anim_gorilla.htm
N/A, N/A, N.D, Why are Mountain Gorillas Endangered?, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September 2012, http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_mountain_gorillas_endangered
These websites are all reliable, as they all, except one, are from official organisations.
N/A, N/A, N.D, WWF - Mountain gorilla, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September, 2012, http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/gorillas/mountain_gorilla/
N/A, N/A, N.D, Mountain Gorilla, N/A, N/A, N/A, 17th of September, 2012, http://www.meandmephoto.com/Africa/Pages/Gorillas/GorThink.html
N/A, N/A, N.D, 5 Ways to Save the Mountain Gorillas, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September 2012, http://green-buzz.net/environment/5-ways-to-help-save-the-mountain-gorillas/
N/A, N/A, N.D, Mountain Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda | Uganda Safaris and Wildlife Tours, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September, 2012, http://www.gorillatreks.com/mountain_gorillas.htm
N/A, N/A, N.D, Endangered Species: Gorilla,N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September, 2012 http://www.un.org/works/OLD/environment/animalplanet/gorilla.html
N/A, N/A,N.D, Mountain Gorilla an Endangered Species at Bagheera, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September, 2012, http://bagheera.com/inthewild/van_anim_gorilla.htm
N/A, N/A, N.D, Why are Mountain Gorillas Endangered?, N/A, N/A, N/A, Viewed 17th of September 2012, http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_mountain_gorillas_endangered
These websites are all reliable, as they all, except one, are from official organisations.