Diversity (Apr 2024)

Anthropogenic Pressures on Gorillas: A Case of Grauer’s Gorillas in Maiko National Park, the Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Kahindo Tulizo Consolee,
  • Xiaofeng Luan,
  • Li Cong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/d16040236
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 4
p. 236

Abstract

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Anthropogenic activities put biodiversity under pressure, adversely affecting the forest ecosystem and wildlife habitats. Habitat disturbance and modification are among the main threats to animal populations in tropical forests. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) are continuously threatened through forest encroachment for agricultural expansion, human settlements, new refugee camps, illegal logging, and mining across the country. Moreover, poaching and bushmeat trafficking continuously threaten gorillas’ existence. These drivers increase the proximity of humans and the risk of disease transmission. The emerging and existing zoonotic diseases, including Ebola, are continuously impacting gorillas’ lives. All of these pressures combined are disrupting natural behavior patterns and are leading to the decline in the Grauer’s gorillas’ population. Therefore, this review scrutinizes findings on the anthropogenic pressures on the habitats and survival of Grauer’s gorillas. Also, it is important to engage with people for the shared conservation role and ecotourism to support the conservation of forest biodiversity and Grauer’s gorillas’ habitats, particularly for the Maiko National Park in the DRC.

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