FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN UGANDA – RWANDA
Top Fascinating Facts about Mountain gorillas In Uganda – Rwanda. Mountain gorilla trekking In Uganda – Rwanda still remains the Top bucket list Adventure experience for almost 95% of the visitors to Uganda & Rwanda.
Mountain Gorilla Tracking can only be done in three (03) places; Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), Uganda ( Bwindi & Mgahinga Gorilla Parks) & Dr. Congo (Virunga National Park) – we however only run Gorilla Tours to Rwanda & Uganda and NOT Congo because of the insecurity there – we w3ant to keep you safe & Secure.
THE MOUNTAIN GORILLA POPULATION
There only 880 mountain gorillas still surviving on this Globe. 480 inhabit the great Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla Park of Uganda. The other 400 gorilla individuals are shared between Rwanda & Dr. Congo.
It is important to remember that Realm Africa Safaris only operate mountain gorilla tracking In Uganda – Rwanda NOT Dr.Congo.
FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN UGANDA – RWANDA
What is a Mountain Gorilla?
A Mountain gorilla is the largest primate on Earth – weighing 135 – 220Kg(300 to 485 lbs) – stands 4 – 6 feet tall. The Mountain gorilla is a critically endangered Species only 880 individual still surviving – 480 in Uganda, 400 divided between Rwanda & DR.Congo.
What do Mountain Gorillas eat?
Mountain Gorillas are generally herbivores. They usually eat vegetation such as wild celery, shoots, roots, fruit, tree bark and tree pulp, but they have been known to eat small animals and insects. A male can eat up to 18kgs (40 lbs) of vegetation each day.
A Mountain Gorillas’ exact diet depends on where they live. According to Sea World, the mountain gorilla eats a diet that is about 86 percent leaves, shoots, and stems; 7 percent roots; 3 percent flowers; 2 percent fruit; and 2 percent snails, ants and grubs.
Mountain Gorilla Habits
Mountain Gorillas live in groups called troops or bands. A band/troop of gorillas can have as many as 50 individuals, though sometimes may consist of as few as two (02) individuals. The Mountain gorilla troops are led by a dominant male, called a silverback, which is often be identified by its distinguished silver -like hair on his back – hence the name Silverback.
Each time of day has its purpose for a troop of gorillas. Mornings and evenings are designated as feeding time. In the middle of the day, gorillas take a nap, play with other gorillas or groom one another. At night, the gorillas settle down in beds, made from leaves and twigs, to sleep.
Offsprings
Similar to humans, female mountain gorillas are pregnant for nine (09) months and usually give birth to only one (01) infant at a time. Newborn mountain gorillas weigh about 18Kgs (4 lbs). From the time they’re about four (04) months to 2 or 3 years old, young gorillas ride on their mothers’ backs as a form of transportation – remember they are young and very inexperienced at getting about the thick- high altitude forests.
At around seven (07) to Ten (10) years, the young mountain gorilla will become mature enough to have its own offspring. At this point, the gorilla will leave its mother’s group to find a mate.
Gorillas can live around 35 years in the wild and more than 50 years in zoos, Source: WWF.
Other Fascinating Facts about Mountain Gorillas in Uganda – Rwanda
- Mountain Gorilla arms are longer than their legs. This allows them to walk on all four limbs while still remaining somewhat upright.
- These primates are very intelligent. They can use simple tools and learn sign language.
- Mountain Gorillas Sleep in bed-like structures called nests. Young gorillas often make their nests in trees, and older gorillas make their nests on the ground.
- Mountain Gorillas usually don’t need to drink water from lakes or streams. They get all of the moisture they need from their food and morning dew.
MOUNTAIN GORILLA CONSERVATION
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Mountain Gorillas species as endangered on its Red List of Threatened Species. They are hunted and their habitat has been destroyed by mining and agriculture. IUCN estimates that there are about 880 mountain gorillas left in two isolated populations.
All our Rwanda – Uganda gorilla Safaris are contributing to worldwide Gorilla Conservation.
Here is how?
For Mountain gorilla Permits you pay a whopping USD600 in Uganda, and or USD1500 in Rwanda this money is re-invested in mountain Gorilla Conservation through habitat protection ( expansion of Gorilla habitats through Paying off persons Staying close to the parks), Sensitizing the communities about mountain gorilla conservation, through mountain gorilla tracking jobs have been created for both the less educated locals as porters, and hotel staff.
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