Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)

The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is a critically endangered subspecies, with only around 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild. They inhabit the dense, high-altitude forests of the Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Threatened primarily by habitat loss, poaching, and civil unrest, their survival hinges on intense conservation efforts. Thanks to sustained protection, including park guard patrols and veterinary care, their population has shown a fragile but hopeful increase in recent years, making them a flagship symbol for wildlife conservation.