World Gorilla Day highlights endangered gorillas, balancing tourism and conservation

Sept. 24 is observed as World Gorilla Day, an annual event launched in 2017 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of a Rwanda-based gorilla study center founded by Dian Fossey. The day draws attention to the two gorilla species that inhabit Africa: the eastern gorilla, which includes mountain gorillas living primarily in the Virunga Massif across parts of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, and the western gorilla, found in forests of West and Central Africa. Gorillas remain among the world’s most endangered primates, with habitat loss and poaching among the most pressing threats. The Virunga Massif, a rugged, volcanically active region, has long drawn researchers and visitors who hope to glimpse these powerful yet endangered primates in their natural habitat.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists both gorilla species as endangered, with three of four subspecies classified as critically endangered. The two gorilla species diverged thousands of years ago, and scientists note that humans share a remarkably high degree of genetic similarity with gorillas—up to roughly 98 percent of DNA. This close kinship underscores gorillas’ importance for understanding human evolution, but it also makes them particularly vulnerable to diseases that can spread through close contact with people, researchers and other visitors who come near them in the wild.

Guidelines for visitors and researchers are designed to minimize risk to the animals. Individuals typically must remain at least seven meters away from gorillas, avoid touching them, and follow strict protocols to reduce stress and disease transmission. While Fossey warned that tourism could disrupt gorilla behavior in the wild, contemporary, tourism-driven conservation programs in Uganda and other countries have supported habitat protection, ranger patrols, and community-based livelihoods tied to gorilla areas.

In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a key focal point for gorilla tourism, a number of groups have been habituated to human presence, allowing visitors to observe these primates without calls for retreat from the trails. Bwindi is home to 27 such social groups, or families, each led by a dominant silverback. The authority and care of these leaders shape group dynamics, with the silverbacks coordinating group movement and defending their families from rivals. One silverback in Bwindi is known by the local name Murinzi, which means “protector,” reflecting the rangers’ observations of his protective behavior. When challenged, silverbacks may stand on their hind legs, beat their chests, and vocalize, signaling to younger males and rivals alike who is in charge.

Gorilla mothers are noted for the care they provide their offspring, a bond conservationists describe as strong and evident to observers who spend time with the groups. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a charity dedicated to protecting mountain gorillas and their habitats, has highlighted the intense affection shown by mothers toward their young. Gorillas can live for more than 40 years in the wild, and adult silverbacks can weigh as much as 180 kilograms (about 396 pounds). They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, shoots and stems, though ants and snails may appear in their diet when available.

The central threat to gorillas remains habitat loss, driven by forest clearance for agriculture and the extraction of firewood. The International Gorilla Conservation Program, a coalition of conservation nonprofits focused on mountain gorillas, notes that deforestation reduces suitable habitat and intensifies human-wildlife interactions. In addition to habitat loss, poaching and disease pose ongoing risks to gorilla populations in parts of the range.

Conservation groups emphasize that protecting remaining forest cover and maintaining responsible tourism are critical components of securing gorilla survival. Habitat protection supports not only gorilla populations but also the health of entire ecosystems that communities rely on for water, climate regulation and livelihoods. Cross-border cooperation among the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda has proven essential in monitoring gorilla groups, sharing data on population trends, and coordinating anti-poaching and patrol efforts across parks linked by the Virunga Massif.

World Gorilla Day thus serves as a reminder of the need to balance the benefits of tourism with the well-being of gorillas and the communities that surround protected areas. As researchers and park authorities continue to refine habituation practices where appropriate and enforce health and safety protocols, the broader objective remains clear: safeguard critical habitats, support sustainable livelihoods, and ensure that future generations can observe these emblematic primates in their natural habitats.