Country-by-Country Mountain Gorilla Population Chart (Updated 2025). The population of a species that was once in danger of becoming extinct is now gradually growing. The most recent census of the world’s mountain gorilla population was completed in December 2018, and on December 16, 2019, the results were made public.

“Exciting” – According to the 2018 census, the total number of mountain gorillas worldwide is expected to have grown to 1063 as of 2019. This includes the Bwindi forest and the Sarambwe nature reserve habitat.

According to the findings of a recent survey conducted by Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities on behalf of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), 459 mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) were found in the Bwindi-Sarambwe habitat.

In these two habitats of the endangered great apes, this is the biggest population of mountain gorillas ever documented, and the first to encompass the Sarambwe Nature Reserve.

According to the 2016 census, there were 604 mountain gorillas in the Virunga massif and 459 in the Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem, bringing the total number of mountain gorillas worldwide to 1063.

The study area, which included the Sarambwe Nature Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, was 340 square kilometers.

Thirteen lonely gorillas and 459 individual gorillas in 50 groups were discovered during the census.

A population census of Bwindi Mountain Gorillas was carried out in 2011, and 400 individuals—36 in groups and 16 alone—were discovered.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Institute Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, respectively, the Protected Area Authorities of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, carried out the survey in order to ensure the procedure’ success.

This was made possible by funders and partners as part of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.

How the 2018 census of the Bwindi-Sarambwe Mountain Gorilla population was conducted
The Mountain Gorilla Survey is an arduous and very determined effort. Here’s what the gorilla population census looked like, in case you were wondering:

Trackers, researchers, veterinarians, and others from the three nations where mountain gorillas live received training in technical skills, sample collection, and GPS use before to embarking on the study. Later, they were split up into twelve groups, six of which visited the forest at once.

The parties were then split up into three groups, each of which spent two weeks sleeping in a separate area of the forest, walking daily along prearranged routes to look for gorilla indications, particularly nest indicators, and collecting fecal samples for DNA analysis that would enable unambiguous gorilla identification.

In order to thoroughly explore all the forest regions and survey the Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem for indications of gorillas, other important wildlife, and human activity, survey teams traveled pre-planned reconnaissance paths in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo. Fecal samples were taken from nests by the crews during the survey when gorilla indications were found.

The Bwindi-Sarambwe census was conducted twice in 2018: first from March to May, which lasted 62 days, and again from October to December, which lasted 60 days.

To guarantee that no gorilla goes unnoticed and to get more accurate figures, the survey was conducted again. Following the collection of fecal samples, each person’s genotype was determined by genetic analysis.

The mountain gorilla population has increased to 1063 individuals, indicating that the species is rebounding from the verge of extinction thanks to the conservation efforts of the many partners.

There has never been a finer moment for Uganda gorilla safaris than now, especially with this census and the recent newborns in the Bwindi forest. For all reservations and arrangements at reasonable rates on either long or short Uganda gorilla safaris, get in touch with Kabira Uganda Safaris to witness these magnificent creatures that were given to our country.