How can we protect Mountain Gorillas from Extinction: Mountain gorillas have long been a severely endangered species facing extinction, but in recent years, thanks to conservation efforts, the mountain gorilla species has been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of endangered species (IUCN). Mountain gorillas are an indigenous species of the Albertine area and the Bwindi forest, and there are only two spots in the world where you may see them.

Mountain gorillas may be seen in four national parks in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park. According to the most recent census, there were around 1,063 mountain gorillas living in the area and throughout the world, as these mountain gorillas can only survive in the wild and not in captivity, unlike lowland gorillas, which can be seen in a number of zoos around the world.

One of the most amazing facts about mountain gorillas is that they share up to 99 percent of human DNA. The number of mountain gorillas continues to increase, and a lot of newborns are being accepted in all national parks, which has a beneficial influence on the mountain gorillas. There are a variety of ways you, as an individual, may help to the species’ survival and thriving.

Purchase a mountain gorilla trekking permit

Mountain gorilla trekking permits are available in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and the Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. By obtaining a mountain gorilla trekking permit, you are indirectly contributing financially to ensuring that the park stakeholders look after the mountain gorillas. A mountain gorilla trekking permit costs $400 USD, $700 USD, and $1,500 USD in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, respectively.

Postpone your gorilla trek if you are unwell

Mountain gorillas have a very intimate association with people, which means they may contract any viral human illness, and travelling when unwell exposes the mountain gorillas. Catching the human viral illness in mountain gorillas may not be a pleasant experience because the disease spreads swiftly and recovery is not guaranteed.

Because mountain gorilla immunity is not as strong as human immunity, staying away and trekking later will save the mountain gorillas. Colds are the most common contractions, and even the COVID-19 is a possibility, thus masks must be used during the gorilla climb.

Make a donation

Make a donation to any of the gorilla conservation organizations in addition to purchasing the mountain gorilla trekking permit. Mountain gorilla conservation organizations are dedicated to the conservation and protection of mountain gorillas, and an extra coin could help their operations. There are several of them, and the park authorities can share some of them with you so that you can investigate which or whose objective is most likely to be of interest to you.

Support a local community project

When you’re in the region, seek for a local community-run initiative and give financially or physically to demonstrate your support for their cause. Local people living surrounding mountain gorilla parks are stakeholders, and the activity cannot succeed without their assistance. The more the local people benefits from tourism activities in the region, the more they become interested in the conservation of the area’s natural resources, including mountain gorillas. To demonstrate your support, go to a cultural centre, a local market, or a locally owned restaurant.

Abide by the rules and regulations set by the park.

The ranger guides will advise all trekkers on the required code of behavior while in the forest prior to the mountain gorilla trekking. Each mountain gorilla family will be limited to 8 members in order to avoid making the mountain gorillas uncomfortable with human intervention. Trekkers will also be expected to keep their voices quiet, maintain a 6-meter distance, and refrain from feeding the mountain gorillas. By following these regulations, you will be conserving the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Book yourself other activities in the park.

Parks such as the Mgahinga gorilla national park will ask you to pay admission fees on each entry for an activity, and a part of this park entry is reverted back into the park’s natural resources, including the mountain gorillas. The cash created by tourists in the region is also pooled and used to benefit the local community.

Support initiative to end poaching

Poaching is one of the most serious threats to the survival of mountain gorillas. The Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Rwanda Development Board, and the Virunga rangers all go above and beyond to find poachers and punish them severely, but if you have any more ideas, they would be greatly appreciated.

Avoid purchasing products from the mountain gorilla parts

The black market will undoubtedly sell certain objects to individuals as a memento or even for medical or witchcraft purposes in some regions, but as a very conservative forward person, this is your opportunity to say no to them in order to limit the market for these commodities. Other species has similar challenges, such as rhinos, whose trunks are sold for ivory, leaving the rhinos dead or injured.

Create awareness

It would be fantastic if you could disseminate the significance of animal conservation, particularly mountain gorillas, in your position and influence. This might include hosting fundraisers or collecting money for any of the gorilla shelters to help with conservation. Any outreach for the mountain gorilla conservation cause would be appreciated, as will encouraging others who are interested in trekking the mountain gorillas to make a personal contribution as well.