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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Censusing the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes: Complete sweep method versus monitoring
African Journal of Ecology, Volume 48, No. 3, Year 2010
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Description
The mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) of the Virunga Volcanoes Range of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are one of the most endangered ape populations in the world. Following a dramatic decline during the 1960s, and relative stability in the 1970s, the population steadily increased during the 1980s. Due to political instability and war, a complete census had not been conducted since 1989. Here we compare the results of a complete census using the 'sweep method' conducted in 2003 with those from a monitoring program, to estimate the size and distribution of the gorilla population. A total of 360 gorillas were counted from census measurements and known habituated groups. Based on quantitative assessments of the census accuracy, we calculated that an additional 20 gorillas were not counted, leading to an estimated population of 380 individuals, and a 1.15% annual growth rate since 1989. The Ranger Based Monitoring programme yielded similar results. The encouraging results must be viewed with caution, however, because the growth was concentrated almost entirely in one section of the Virungas. Additionally, the distribution of gorilla groups was negatively correlated with the frequency of human disturbances, which highlights the need to continue strengthening conservation efforts. © 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Gray, Maryke
Kenya, Nairobi
International Gorilla Conservation Program
McNeilage, Alastair
Uganda, Mbarara
Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation
United States, New York
Wildlife Conservation Society
Fawcett, Katie A.
United States, Atlanta
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Robbins, Martha M.
Germany, Leipzig
Max-planck-institut Für Evolutionäre Anthropologie
Ssebide, Benard Jasper
Uganda, Kampala
Uganda Wildlife Authority
Mbula, Deo
Rwanda, Gisenyi
Parc National Des Virunga-sud
Uwingeli, Prosper
Rwanda, Kigali
Parc National Des Volcans
Statistics
Citations: 50
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 8
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01142.x
ISSN:
01416707
e-ISSN:
13652028
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Congo
Rwanda
Uganda