Reasons why gorillas are endangered

By Christina Franklin

瀕危動物大猩猩急劇減少的原因——棲息地遭到破壞、非法捕獵、政治動亂以及各種疾病。

The gorilla is today one of the most endangered species.Some of the reasons for this are man-made while few are natural.Their population is decreasing at an alarming rate.Loss of habitat

One of the major reasons for gorillas becoming an endangered species is an ever-increasing threat to their natural habitat.This is caused due to large-scale deforestation for agriculture purposes or acquiring wood,extensive mining activities and grazing of domestic animals，which disturbs their natural habitat.Constant growth in human population has also added to the difficulty of the gorillas.Illegally hunting

Most gorilla deaths are caused by illegal hunters.They kill gorillas primarily for bush meat.It brings along them good money.Another reason for hunting is because infant gorillas can be used for entertainment purposes,such as,in circuses.The older ones are hunted for their body parts to be sold in the market as amulets（護(hù)身符）and souvenirs,alongside bush meat.

Political unrest

Gorillas have also been the victims of political unrest.Physical violence in the Great Lakes region in Africa is responsible for the deaths of many of these animals.During the early 1990s,people from Rwanda escaped from their villages and camped in the Virunga National Park.They were forced to harvest firewood from the forest.They also kill gorillas in their struggle for survival.Numerous diseases

Another major reason,which has brought these animals on the verge of extinction,is the nu merous diseases gorillas sufferfrom,like measles,mange and intestinal parasites.They fre quently interact with humans.So,it’s much easier for them to be affected by such illnesses and diseases.In the year 2016,several hundred gorillas died due to the outbreak of dreaded Ebola virus in the Odzala National.

Numerous conservation efforts are being un dertaken in order to save these animals from disappearing from the face of the earth.These projects concentrated on tourism development,conservation,mass education and development of wildlife.They also taught natives about the economic advantages of saving primates.