The mountain gorilla is threatened by habitat loss resulting from 'slash and burn' farming. On a small scale this does not pose a serious threat, because the forest recovers and gorillas can return. However, with large rural populations the forest does not have a chance to recover and it disappears completely. Hunting is also a threat. Mountain gorillas are shot by hunters, and they also get caught in traps set for other animals such as antelope.
Mountain gorillas are especially vulnerable because their populations are so small and isolated.
Sadly, the total number of mountain gorillas is expected to halve over the next three gorilla generations - about 60 years. Many gorillas now live in protected areas such as national parks where habitat disturbance and hunting are illegal. Unfortunately, there is too little money available to police these areas, so that illegal disturbance and hunting continues. Money for park protection can be raised through 'gorilla tourism'. Such activities have been very helpful in Rwanda and Uganda.