Kahuzi-Biega National Park gorillas threatened by war and poaching

The Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a critical period of instability. The park is a vital habitat for the Grauer's gorilla, a subspecies found nowhere else in the world. Before the onset of regional warfare, the park was home to at least 1,500 individuals, making it a primary conservation stronghold.

Due to ongoing security instability, conservation teams are currently unable to conduct accurate monitoring or census operations, leaving the exact remaining population unknown. The species faces a combination of threats including armed conflict, deforestation, and poaching. The lack of authority in conflict zones has facilitated the uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, including timber and wildlife.