Mbeli Bai Gorilla Study - Congo

Mbeli Bai Gorilla Study - Republic of Congo    

There are four recognized subspecies of gorilla, the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla graueri) , cross river gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) and the mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei). The western lowland gorilla lives in six countries across west equatorial Africa; southeast Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo and Equatorial Guinea .

In the Republic of Congo, the Houston Zoo is working with the Mbeli Bai Gorilla Program in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Mbeli Bai is the only long-term demographic study on western gorillas which uses direct observations to provide important baseline information on the social organization, demography and behavior of an intact population of gorillas. Detailed studies are also undertaken on the activity of other large mammal species using the bai, such as forest elephants, sitatungas, forest buffaloes as well as otters and many other species.   

At Mbeli Bai more than 350 gorillas have been monitored since 1995. The results of the monitoring of individual identifiable animals at Mbeli Bai has provided major and unique insights into the social organization and behavior of this elusive species and has reported many spectacular behavioral observations such as twin births, silverback splash displays, and the first observation of tool use in free-ranging gorillas; findings that have attracted significant international media attention.

If we want to ensure the long-term survival of the great apes and limit the risk of diseases transmission, we need to change the attitudes of locals towards the intrinsic value of wildlife in general and the importance of conserving the great apes in particular. Thus, public outreach and awareness programs can play a vital role in the list of actions needed to guarantee that great ape populations remain viable. Long term education programs have to be put in place with the aim of changing the attitudes of local people to the value of wildlife. If we want to ensure the survival of great apes in the future we also have to address our conservation effort to the future generation – the children. Long-term studies are uniquely placed to establish a trust and respect relationship between scientists/conservationists and the local community.