Endangered

Mountain Gorilla

Gorilla beringei beringei

Endangered

IUCN Red List status · Population increasing as of 2023 · Est. 1,063 individuals

About the Mountain Gorilla

One of our closest living relatives, mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude forests of the Virunga mountains. Conservation efforts have helped their population slowly recover from near extinction.

Region

Central Africa

Population

1,063

Trend

Increasing

Data Year

2023

Key Facts

Weight135–180 kg (male)

Lifespan35–40 years

Group size5–30 individuals

DNA similarity98.3% with humans

Habitat Types

Montane ForestBamboo Forest

Found In

UgandaRwandaDR Congo

Why Africa's Wildlife Matters

Africa's megafauna are not just iconic — they are ecosystem engineers. The loss of a single keystone species can trigger cascading collapses across entire biomes. Elephants create waterholes, lions regulate prey, and predators maintain the biodiversity that keeps Africa's grasslands and forests functioning.

20%

of Earth's bird species in Africa

25%

of mammals found in Africa

3,000+

endemic plant species at risk

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