Karisoke Stress Study: Mountain Gorillas
The mountain gorilla Gorilla gorilla beringei population in the wild currently numbers about 600 individuals. These populations are present in both the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda and in a separate population in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Our understanding of the biology of this species, together with our understanding of the effect of human visits to gorilla groups, is important to the management of the Parks and the long-term survival of this gorilla species. The San Diego Zoo's CRES is working with Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Morris Animal Foundation’s Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, and the Rwandan Office of Parks and Tourism to try and conserve this species. One of the projects currently under investigation is the analysis of hormones from urine and feces to better understand the gorilla’s physiology. The study involves comparisons between four groups that are observed by tourists and three groups that are tracked and observed by researchers. Researchers are interested in determining how the gorilla groups are affected by these visits.
To conserve this species and to allow the population to expand, a viable home must be protected in the Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and information about their natural biology must be acquired. Tourism and research are both key factors in achieving this goal.
