Evan Darwin:
Gorillas are threatened with extinction unless steps are taken to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus within the species. While gorillas are also threatened by habitat loss and poaching, extensive research has already been conducted on these topics and steps are being taken to reduce these threats. To limit the spread of the Ebola virus, more information needs to be collected on the mechanisms that spread the Ebola virus. Field studies should be conducted to determine whether the virus is being spread through a carrier species such as the fruit bat, or whether it is being spread primarily through interactions between population groups. It is important to gain this knowledge since it could not only help save gorillas, but also save humans as well since the Ebola virus is also a deadly disease that decimates human populations.