The Virunga Massif, a chain of volcanoes in the heart of Africa, is home to one of two remaining populations of the endangered mountain gorilla. Six dormant volcanoes tower to elevations of up to 4,500 meters and span just 450 km² across three countries - the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. Its complex geographical structure creates a diverse mosaic of habitat types, supporting a variety of fauna and flora. Here, mountain gorillas live in a protected habitat surrounded by the highest human population densities in sub-Saharan Africa.

How many mountain gorillas can the Virunga Massif truly sustain? It is a question we hear often - from conservation partners, researchers,…