Although still endangered, the mountain gorilla is the only great ape with a growing wild population. Rwanda is home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas, the only gorilla subspecies found in Rwanda. They inhabit the high-altitude montane forests of the Virunga Massif, which spans Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Once facing near-extinction in the 1980s, their population has steadily increased due to decades of conservation, biodiversity restoration, and responsible tourism. Today, there are more than 1,000 mountain gorillas globally, with over 600 in the Virunga region, the majority of which are found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. These primates are currently classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, a positive step forward from their previous “Critically Endangered” status in 2018. ALSO READ: “In Rwanda, a gorilla is a school, a clinic, and a road” — Kaddu Sebunya Despite this progress, mountain gorillas remain at risk. The species continues to face serious threats, including human-wildlife conflict, poaching for bushmeat and their body parts, and habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion and logging, and human encroachment. Compounding these challenges are disease outbreaks, low genetic diversity, and limited movement between fragmented populations. ALSO READ: Study from volcanoes park shows gorillas reconnect with old female friends after years apart Continued action and vigilance are critical, and Rwanda has mastered it. Over decades, the country has emerged as a global leader in gorilla conservation through a model that balances ecological protection with sustainable development. The country’s success has become a blueprint for other gorilla-range states, with strategies including: Protected areas and habitat expansion: According to a recent report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Rwanda has increased national forest cover from 10.7% to 30.4% in just over a decade, an extraordinary achievement for a densely populated country reliant on agriculture. The government is now planning a 23% expansion of Volcanoes National Park to create more habitat and reduce human-gorilla conflict. Monitoring, anti-poaching, and veterinary care: Gorilla families are monitored daily by trained rangers, scientists, and wildlife veterinary teams who work to treat injuries, prevent disease, and deter illegal activity. Collaborative efforts between government and conservation organisations ensure the gorillas receive world-class protection in the field. Sustainable tourism: Rwanda has demonstrated that tourism can be both profitable and protective. To prevent overexploitation, gorilla trekking is strictly controlled, with limited daily permits and rigorous visitor protocols to minimize stress and disease risk to gorillas. Revenues are reinvested into conservation and local development. Community engagement & benefit sharing: The successful rebounding of the mountain gorilla population is largely due to community-centred conservation, where local people are incentivised to act as stewards of their natural environment by sharing in the proceeds generated by sustainable tourism. Communities living near the gorilla habitats receive revenues from gorilla-based tourism, infrastructure investment (including schools, clinics, and roads), and other livelihood programs. Sharing the benefits helps align conservation and local well-being. Rwanda’s nature-based tourism generates 80% of the country’s overall tourism revenue. Research, education, and cultural celebration: Institutions like the Karisoke Research Center provide critical data that shapes conservation strategy, while national education efforts raise awareness. The annual Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony has become a global platform for celebrating new births and promoting public involvement in conservation. Policy, legal framework, and partnerships: Rwanda’s progress is underpinned by strong governance, legal protection of wildlife, and effective collaboration with international conservation partners. National legislation supports protected area enforcement and long-term conservation planning. Rwanda’s gorilla conservation approach is one of the most successful conservation stories in Africa. We are making great strides, but they are not out of the woods yet. With such a critically small population, the loss of even a single gorilla could push the species closer to extinction again. ALSO READ: Can Africa balance development and conservation? Protecting mountain gorillas is not only about preserving a species, it’s about safeguarding Rwanda’s ecological heritage, supporting long-term economic development, and protecting ecosystems that countless other species depend on. Gorillas play a crucial role in maintaining forest health by dispersing seeds and promoting biodiversity. As an umbrella species, their protection also ensures the survival of numerous other wildlife forms that share their habitat. While governments and conservation organisations play a leading role, individuals and communities must act as well. Public awareness and active participation are key. Supporting habitat protection, reducing demand for bushmeat, and advocating for sound environmental policy can all make a meaningful difference. This World Gorilla Day, Wild Africa calls on the global community to support Rwanda’s leadership and encourage other gorilla-range countries to adopt similar conservation frameworks that put communities, ecosystems, and endangered species first. The writer is Rwanda’s representative at Wild Africa, a charity that aims to be Africa’s most effective conservation communicator, inspiring the public support and political will to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild spaces forever.
