Quick answer
Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are listed in our guides as Endangered. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Key takeaway
Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are listed in our guides as Endangered. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Mountain Gorilla conservation status
Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is recorded here as Endangered. Global categories summarise extinction risk; regional populations can be safer or worse than the headline label.
Threats facing mountain gorillas
Habitat loss around Montane and bamboo cloud forests at 2,200–4,300 m elevation, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Outlook for Mountain Gorilla populations
Where monitoring exists, trends track protected-area quality and enforcement. Fragmented groups need corridors and genetic exchange to avoid local extinction.
What actually helps
Support verified conservation programmes, cut demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism helps only when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
Conservation turnaround
Famously studied by Dian Fossey, mountain gorillas fell to roughly 250 individuals in the 1980s from poaching, habitat loss, and war. Intensive anti-poaching patrols, veterinary care, and ecotourism revenue helped numbers recover past 1,000 — one of conservation's rare success stories.
Ongoing threats
Listed Endangered, mountain gorillas remain confined to two small forest blocks straddling Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Political instability, snares set for antelope, disease transmission from humans, and climate-driven habitat shifts still pose risks.
Sources
Mountain Gorilla FAQs
Are mountain gorillas endangered?
Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are listed in our guides as Endangered. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
What is the scientific name of the mountain gorilla?
Gorilla beringei beringei — used in research and conservation listings for mountain gorillas.
What do mountain gorillas eat?
Mountain Gorillas eat leaves, shoots, stems, fruit, and bark, with seasonal and regional variation in Montane and bamboo cloud forests at 2,200–4,300 m elevation.
Where do mountain gorillas live?
They are associated with Montane and bamboo cloud forests at 2,200–4,300 m elevation. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of mountain gorillas?
Listed in our guides as Endangered. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.