Factors Influencing Ranging on Community Land and Crop Raiding by Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, are more likely to range outside the park and raid crops when herbaceous plants and palatable crops like bananas, eucalyptus, and sweet potatoes are available on community land. A 13-month study of 13 gorilla groups found that food availability outside the park—rather than scarcity inside—drives this behavior. Researchers used generalized linear mixed models to analyze data from three locations near the park boundary. To mitigate human-wildlife conflict, they recommend removing gorilla-attracting plants from plantations and uncultivated land while planting buffer crops along the park's edge, particularly tea plantations cleared of herbaceous foods. This study highlights the need for species-specific behavioral research to inform effective conservation strategies.

Seiler, N., & Robbins, M. M. (2015). Factors Influencing Ranging on Community Land and Crop Raiding by Mountain Gorillas. Animal Conservation, 19(2), 176–188. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12232