Why Are Gorillas Threatened?

The hunting pressure on Grauer's and western gorillas is very high. They are still killed for their meat by the local human population, even if this is illegal. In addition, local hunters and farmers often kill gorillas because they raid thr fields. One gorilla group can destroy the whole harvest. Another problem is the increasing destruction of the gorillas' habitat. The deforestation of the rain forests leads to the isolation of small forest islands, which the animals cannot leave any more because there is no adequate habitat close-by. As early as 1959, George Schaller considered this problem critical for the survival of the eastern gorillas. However, forests still are disturbed through timber harvest by logging companies and cleared to make way for cultivation. Roads, initially built to transport the timber, subsequently facilitate the settlement of the forest. In its turn, this leads to increased hunting to provide the workers with food and slash-and-burn cultivation. Bush meat (including gorilla meat) is frequently transported into the cities with the timber transports. Another severe threat for the western lowland gorillas is the Ebola virus that already killed most of the gorills in certain areas.

Slash-and-burn cultivation in the African rain forest Photo: Angela Meder

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