Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)

The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the world's rarest great apes, with only about 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Found only in the volcanic forests of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, these majestic primates face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and human conflict. Despite their massive size and strength, mountain gorillas are generally gentle and live in close-knit family groups. Conservation efforts since the 1970s have slowly increased their numbers, offering hope for this critically endangered species. Their remarkable similarity to human behavior and emotions makes them one of our closest living relatives and a powerful symbol of wildlife conservation.