All of the 26 mountain and Grauer’s gorilla orphans that have been treated by the Gorilla Doctors over the years were orphaned by human attacks on gorillas in the DRC. The political volatility in the region affects the security of the parks and makes it possible for poachers and armed groups to operate inside the forest. Because of their perceived value as exotic pets, young gorillas may be captured by poachers hoping to sell them on the black market. In order to take a baby gorilla alive, poachers usually kill the animal’s mother and any other gorilla trying to protect it.