Should We Consider the Translocation of Gorilla Populations?

While recognizing that the translocation of gorillas is a tempting option, I believe that this can only be considered as a last resort - that is, when there is no alternative for a given gorilla population. Different criteria may apply to the lowland gorillas and the mountain gorilla (I am using current conventional taxonomic terminology for the different subspecies - I realize that things may change!).
In the case of the lowland gorillas, translocation of a small group of animals might be acceptable if their habitat is clearly doomed and there is an apparently satisfactory place to which these animals can be translocated. In the case of the mountain gorilla, however - bearing in mind its localized distribution and small numbers - the dangers are substantially greater: the whole subspecies (Gorilla gorilla beringei) could be put at risk if the translocation proved unsuccessful. The reasons for my cautious approach to this subject are as follows:

1. Translocation always involves risks to the animals, regardless of whether they are translocated using physical or chemical restraint.
2. Movement of gorillas to another location could result in either
   a) spread of infectious agents (pathogens) from the translocated gorillas into a new environment - and thus possibly to animals of various species that are already present in that environment or
   b) the translocated gorillas may encounter and themselves contract infectious diseases en route to, or in, their new habitat.
3. We still know little about the habitat and nutritional needs of gorillas; translocation to some localities might prove disastrous.
4. Translocation probably implies abandoning an existing habitat and this could be bad psychologically, politically and environmentally.

Certainly in the case of the mountain gorilla (and probably also in the case of many populations of the lowland gorilla), time, money and effort would be better spent protecting the existing habitat and groups of gorillas, especially where there is some conservation/tourism infrastructure, rather than moving the animals and in so doing exposing them to risks and probably attracting local and international criticism.

John E. Cooper

Dr. John E. Cooper was originally trained in veterinary science, later obtaining postgraduate qualifications in tropical medicine, avian diseases and pathology. At present he is based in the UK but involved in teaching and projects in Africa and elsewhere. From 1993 to 1995 he and his wife lived in Rwanda where he was Director of the Centre Vétérinaire des Volcans (now the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project).

Esteban Sarmiento

Juichi Yamagiwa

David Chivers

Kelly Stewart and Sandy Harcourt

Translocation overview

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