Because there are only about 1,000 mountain gorillas left, it’s important that their population size be continuously monitored to evaluate whether, and which, conservation tactics work. Their populations must keep growing because mountain gorillas have very low genetic diversity

The 2018 mountain gorilla population census revealed that about 1,063 mountain gorillas exist on earth. Unlike their lowland cousins, mountain gorillas can only survive in the wild.

One of the lesser-known facts about mountain gorillas is that unlike other great apes (except humans) whose populations are decreasing in size, the mountain gorilla population is actually increasing.

Their number has been consistently increasing over the last 30 years due to the conservation efforts of the countries where mountain gorillas are found as well as the work of conservation groups including the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and its team of trackers, researchers, staff, and donors; The International Gorilla Conservation Program and others.

The world mountain population is split between the Virunga Mountain gorilla population; living in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park mountain gorilla population.

The mountain gorilla census of 2010 estimated that 480 gorillas inhabited the Virunga area. The mountain gorilla population census of 2003 had estimated the Virunga mountains gorilla population to be 380 individuals, which represented a 17 present increase in the total population since 1989 when there were 320 gorillas. Since its lowest point in 1981 when the census estimated only 254 gorillas, the population has almost doubled.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park census of 2006 revealed a population of 340 gorillas, representing a 6% increase in total population size since 2002 and a 12% increase from 320 individuals in 1997.

Currently, the Virunga Mountain gorilla population stands at over 604 individuals and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which has also been consistently increasing and currently stands at over 459 individuals.

if you are to trek gorillas in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park or the Democratic Republic of Congo in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.