Threatened species of Gorilla gorilla beringei

Threats to Mountain gorillas are attributable to poachers who kill the gorillas for their meat or to capture infants. The problem has become acute due to the presence of more than 750,000 Rwandan refugees in the camps of Goma near the Parc des Virungas. The presence of the refugees increases the pressure on the endangered mountain gorillas. According to a study conducted for the UN, 18 square kilometers of forest have already been destroyed by refugees cutting wood for fuel, and 78 square kilometers are badly damaged. Deforestation and the invasion of refugees in the National Park puts the gorillas at risk, not only from poaching, but also from being pushed higher up the mountains, where they may suffer respiratory problems.

A fall off in tourism due to the hostilities in the Congo/Ugandan/Rwandan area has meant that there is less revenue with which to protect the Gorillas.

Estimates of the Mountain Gorilla population is believed to be around 620 individuals.

Gorilla gorilla beringei is considered by the IUCN as "Critically Endangered". CITES lists the species as "Appendix 1".