Deforestation threatens mountain gorillas in three key ways: 1) It reduces their habitat as forests are cleared for agriculture, mining, and logging. 2) It brings humans into closer contact with gorillas, increasing the risk of disease transmission. 3) It makes gorillas more accessible to poachers by removing forest cover that previously protected gorillas. Deforestation is the underlying driver that exacerbates threats from disease and poaching to these endangered great apes.