Threats and Solutions

Threats and Solutions. Going, going, gone?. , Too Close for Comfort , Habitat destruction has forced gorillas to live closer to human settlements. Since gorillas and humans share most genes, we also share most diseases. Outbreaks of Ebola that have killed hundreds of people before being contained have wiped out entire populations of neighboring gorillas. Even diseases that do not cause death threaten the long-term survival of gorillas. Parasites can weaken a gorilla's immune system, decreasing their ability to fight off disease, heal from wounds or cope with stress. Diseases can also reduce conception rates and increase the number of miscarriages experienced by females, further diminishing the already small gorilla populations., Helping People Helps Gorillas , The conservation challenge disease presents is big but not unbeatable. Improving the health and living conditions of humans also helps the health of gorillas. Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) is an innovative conservation program that helps protect the mountain gorillas of Bwindi with a community-based program that teaches good hygiene and health care practices to local people., More Than Politics? , Political conflict and war greatly affect the lives and wellbeing of both Central Africa's citizens and gorillas. During wars, gorillas are not only killed for meat by soldiers and fleeing refugees, but also shot for target practice and sport. The migration of thousands of people through forests to escape war-torn villages creates widespread habitat destruction. This can force gorillas to abandon their established homes and separate gorilla family groups., Gorillas in her Midst , For 40 years, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) has carried out research, monitoring and protection programs for Virunga's mountain gorillas. A significant increase in the Virunga mountain gorilla population is a direct result of DFGFI's protection and daily monitoring of resident gorillas. Even through dangerous civil wars, the presence of DFGFI rangers has helped safeguard Virunga's mountain gorillas.