Energetic responses to variation in food availability in the two mountain gorilla populations (Gorilla beringei beringei)

Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) exhibit behavioral and energetic responses to variable ecological conditions, even when food availability is relatively high. A study comparing two populations—one in Virunga National Park and the other in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—found that despite lower and more variable food availability in Bwindi, gorillas there maintained similar energy intake rates and feeding time as those in Virunga. However, daily travel distances were significantly shorter in Virunga. The research used vegetation sampling, nutritional analysis, detailed feeding behavior observations, and GPS tracking to estimate food availability, energy intake rates, and travel distance. These findings highlight the adaptability of gorillas to ecological variability, which may influence growth, reproduction, and survival.

Wright, E., Grueter, C. C., Seiler, N., Abavandimwe, D., Stoinski, T. S., Ortmann, S., & Robbins, M. M. (2015). Energetic responses to variation in food availability in the two mountain gorilla populations (Gorilla beringei beringei). American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 158(3), 487–500. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22808