The Bwindi gorilla, a population of the Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei), is found in the rain forests of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and comprises about half the world's endangered population of about 600 Mountain Gorillas. A 2006 census of the Bwindi population indicated approximately 340 individuals, which is a modest increase from the estimated 300 individuals in 1997. The nearby Virunga Volcanoes Conservation Area is inhabited by the remaining 300 Mountain Gorillas but has no chimpanzees; this makes Bwindi the only forest in Africa in which these two great apes occur together.

Research

Gorilla research in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has lagged far behind that in the Virunga Volcanoes. Preliminary field research results have been reported by researcher Craig Stanford.

Diet

Dr. Stanford has found that the Bwindi gorilla's diet is markedly higher in fruit than that of the Virunga population, and that the Bwindi gorillas, even silverbacks, are more likely to climb trees to feed on foliage, fruits, and epiphytes. In some months, Bwindi gorilla diet is very similar to that of Bwindi chimpanzees.

Bwindi gorillas travel further per day than Virunga gorillas, particularly on days when feeding primarily on fruit than when they are feeding on fibrous foods.

Nests

Bwindi gorillas are much more likely to build their nests in trees, nearly always in Echizogwa, a small understory tree.