Mountain Gorillas Saved, Space Not Enough: Africa’s Next Conservation Challenge

In the 1970s and 1980s, the future of mountain gorillas looked bleak. Fewer than 250 individuals remained, their forest home destroyed by agriculture and logging. Yet decades of joint conservation efforts, often carried out amid regional wars and the 1994 Rwandan genocide, have changed their fate.

By 2018, the global population had surpassed 1,000, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify mountain gorillas from critically endangered to endangered. An updated census due soon is expected to show further growth in Bwindi Forest and the Virunga Massif.

This recovery, however, has not come easily. Over 220 park rangers have lost their lives protecting gorillas in the DRC’s Virunga National Park, where armed groups still operate. Human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and disease transmission remain pressing threats.

Guardians of the Gorillas

Across the Virunga range, the Gorilla Doctors team plays a vital role in keeping gorilla populations healthy. From a distance, they monitor each gorilla for signs of illness or injury, intervening when necessary to treat wounds or infections.

When the organization began, most medical interventions focused on injuries from snares set for other wildlife. Today, respiratory illnesses passed from humans pose the greatest risk. Tourists, trackers, and researchers are now required to wear masks, disinfect their hands, and keep a respectful distance from the gorillas to minimize the risk of transmission.

As Dr. Benard Ssebide of Gorilla Doctors explains, “We have known some of these gorillas since they were infants. Seeing them grow into strong silverbacks leading their own groups is one of our greatest rewards.”

The Human Factor: Threat and Salvation

The paradox of gorilla conservation lies in its dependence on human involvement. While human encroachment endangers the species, carefully managed ecotourism has become its greatest lifeline.

In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, senior warden Chemonges Amusa oversees several gorilla families and manages one of Africa’s most successful ecotourism programs. Visitors pay $800 per permit for a one-hour gorilla encounter, and 20% of this revenue is shared with local communities.

Habituation, the process of gradually getting gorillas accustomed to human presence, allows tourists and researchers to observe them safely. Over half of Bwindi’s 460 gorillas are now habituated, providing consistent income for surrounding communities. The tourism revenue from Bwindi alone can sustain Uganda’s entire national park system for a year.

Local communities have also benefited from conservation-linked projects. Tea plantations, for instance, have been established as buffer zones along forest edges, and gorillas do not eat tea, so the crops help prevent them from raiding nearby farms. As tea farmer Buhutu Steven explains, “When I started planting tea, it was also a way of protecting the gorillas. Tourism has changed life here. When guests visit, they always leave something behind.”

Rwanda At Full Commitment to Gorilla Conservation

In the neighboring Rwanda, mountain gorillas have become a symbol of national pride and sustainable tourism. Each year, the country hosts Kwita Izina, a high-profile naming ceremony for newborn gorillas. The 2025 event celebrated 40 new births — a testament to ongoing success.

The Rwandan government recently announced plans to expand Volcanoes National Park by nearly 25% to provide more habitat for the growing gorilla population. High-end tourism continues to fuel conservation funding, with gorilla permits costing $1,500 and luxury lodges charging thousands per night.

The event attracts conservationists, dignitaries, and celebrities, all united in support of protecting the species. As film director Michael Bay, who named one of this year’s baby gorillas, said during the ceremony, “These gorillas are a heritage we must preserve.”

Running Out of Space?

While population recovery is a conservation triumph, it presents a new challenge: space. The gorillas’ remaining habitat is small and isolated, surrounded by farmland and human settlements. If their numbers continue to grow, competition for territory may rise.

Uganda’s warden, Amusa, acknowledges this concern. “For now, the park is large enough. But if numbers keep increasing, we may need to expand habitat and create new buffer zones,” he explains.

Researchers are closely watching for signs of territorial conflict among gorilla groups, an early indicator that habitat pressure is mounting. Still, conservationists remain optimistic.

Dr. Ssebide believes the forests can sustain many more gorillas than they currently do. “Records show there were far more gorillas here in the past,” he says. “With continued protection, the environment could support up to three times the current population. But no one truly knows what the future will bring.”

A Delicate Balance

The story of the mountain gorilla is both a warning and an inspiration. Their recovery demonstrates what international cooperation, community involvement, and responsible tourism can achieve. Yet it also reminds us that conservation is never complete; it must evolve with the challenges of a changing world.

For travelers visiting Uganda, Rwanda, or the DRC, every permit purchased and every respectful trek helps fund the ongoing protection of these magnificent primates. As long as their forests are safeguarded and visitors tread lightly, mountain gorillas may continue their remarkable comeback for generations to come.