International Lifestyle Magazine Issue 52 | Page 10

Forested parks are often the last
remaining source of fuel. In DRC
(The Congo) the illegal charcoal
trade and mining are also key
threats to the forest habitat of the
mountain gorillas. Despite the high
rainfall, the volcanic rock means
that during the dry season people
often run out of drinking water
forcing them into the forest to get
access to drinking water.
One of the biggest threats is
disease passed to gorillas by
people entering the forest. As
we share much of the same
DNA, gorillas are able to contract
diseases but do not have the
immune system to fight them, so
even something like a cold can kill
a gorilla!
The region’s ongoing conflict and
civil unrest are an ever-present
risk, as is poaching. Whilst
targeted poaching of the gorillas
is extremely rare, they are often
the accidental victims of snares
set to catch antelope, bush pigs
and other wildlife. Gorillas are
targeted in hunts to catch and sell
their young as pets. Of course, the
real guilty people here are those
who X