When you think about gorilla safaris in Africa, look not further than the Democratic Republic of Congo! Besides mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park, DR Congo is also credited for its unique Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Maiko National Park. Scientifically known as the Grauer’s gorilla, the Lowland gorillas are currently at a higher risk of extinction in the wild. These fascinating wild creatures are the biggest gorilla species out of the 4 (four) subspecies that thrive on earth. They are differentiated from the rest of the species using their stocky body, large hands and short muzzle. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, they live mainly in Eastern part of the country and they are listed by IUCN as the endangered species in the world. Given the political situation in the DRC, the life of both the Lowland and the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat has continued to be threatened due to various factors.

Following the previous years, their home range drastically decreased from 8100 square miles to nearly 4600 square miles translating to 13 percent as per the current status. In the 1990s the Eastern Lowland gorillas were about 17000 but unfortunately, the number as drastically decreased with over 50 percent in the word with about 270 of them thriving within the jungles of Kahuzi Biega National Park. This park is situated in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo next to Bukavu town and it features as the only area where tourists can realize their dreams while on safari in Congo. The park is strategically located between mountainous and lowland altitude.

Like the rare mountain gorillas, the Eastern Lowland gorillas are also highly threatened by human infectious diseases. Given the fact that these unique apes are closely related to humans, with the same anatomical and physiological characteristics, they are highly susceptible to human infectious diseases. Unfortunately, these endangered species do not have a strong immune system and yet also the first time exposure to virus or illness can largely claim their lives. This also means that any human contact can easily affect their survival. It is on this note that visitors are always advised to maintain a distance of 7 meters away from the apes while in the forest.

They are however very sensitive to variations in environment, just the presence of people can prove to be a threat. Like any gorilla national park, the survival of Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park is also highly disturbed by loggers, grass and honey collectors, cattle herds, poachers and many more which are all causing too much pressure on gorilla habitat. Further still, the poachers set wire snares targeting the duikers-forest antelopes and in the same course, the lowland gorillas also continue getting caught up and in most cases they are not in position to remove the wire and this means that a few that will succeed in removing the wire snares will either survive or lose their legs or hands. This unselective hunting technique has massively impacted on the survival of these species at large. Humans at times kill these apes for their meats or because of raiding peoples’ farms. Poaching has heavily impacted on the lives of many primates including the lowland gorillas.

The other challenge is habitat loss. This has also proved to be major threat to survival of lowland gorillas, given the fact that deforestation has led tropical forest where these impressive creatures live fragmented and they find it hard to live. A lot of pressure comes from humans especially due to demand for timber, land for cultivation, road construction, fire wood, land for settlement and in the long run leads to loss of gorilla habitat. Gorilla habitat can only be saved by creating alternative economic projects that can make people living around the park to meet their needs and in a long run will reduce the pressure and competition between the gorillas and humans for the same resource.

Other threats to the eastern lowland gorillas include political instability and mineral exploration. Like humans, the lowland gorillas equally deserve a peaceful environment, however due to political insecurities in the DRC, most the gorillas can be forced to live their habitat in search of safety. Besides, insecurities also bring more of habitat loss and degradation and largely disrupt their health and behaviors making it one of the biggest challenges.

In conclusion, the Eastern Lowland gorillas are a few shy primates and also very vulnerable species in the wild. These rare species are highly threatened and if not well protected, they can get extinct in the wild. Protecting these endangered apes in the wild is of great value as it will increase gorilla safaris in the Democratic Republic of Congo.