Unsustainable logging practices, commercial hunting and fishing, and oil and gas development threaten the western lowland gorilla across its range. tall. Here’s how. Feeding habits. Sylvia Earle and marine scientists work to protect our oceans’ ecosystem. WWF and its partners are working to establish a network of protected areas across the Congo Basin and are promoting development of logging and mining industries that are well managed both ecologically and socially. Western Lowland Gorilla While Mountain Gorillas may have the late Dian Fossey as their claim to fame, Western Lowland Gorillas have become well known through their use in zoos and because of the infamous Koko the communicating gorilla. The leader organizes troop activities, such as eating, nesting in leaves, and moving about the group's home range. … rain forest. Range Nigeria, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gaboon, Republic of Congo, Angola, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Appearance {{{appearance}}} In Real Life. The face only has hair along the brow bridge. Gorilla Land; Gorilla Safaris; Gorilla Trekking. The males, on average, weigh approximately 135 - 220 kg and the females weigh about half of that, around 70 - 90 kg. An average refrigerator is 5.8 feet tall. As Liz Williamson, great apes coordinator for the IUCN told the Guardian at the time, “Our study has revealed that it is not too late to secure a future for gorillas.”, Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. The main locomotion pattern of gorillas is quadrupedal knuckle-walking although they do climb and spend limited amounts of time standing bipedally. Gorillas occur throughout the forested parts of Gabon, Congo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic with outlier populations in the Cross River region on the border of Nigeria and Cameroon, and in Cabinda, Angola and south-western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). After the western lowland gorillas in the heart of the forest. They are sexually dimorphic. Compared to other subspecies, western lowland gorillas have a more pronounced brow ridge and ears that appear small in relation to their heads. Why was the ancient city of Cahokia abandoned? These gorillas will occasionally eat insects such as termites, especially if plants are scarce, but their diet is mostly herbivorous. Besides constant fresh water being available for drinking, they are also given sugar-free Ribena and herbal tea. A group of western lowland gorilla living in Loango national prak, gabon. The male is very stocky and powerful in the body, with wide shoulders and chest. Cross River Gorillas. A gorillas face has no hair, however, they do have a thick ridge above their eyes. Western lowland gorillas may be seen year-round as long as the air temperatures are above 40 degrees. During the party, he played with an enrichment box. Weights of wild individuals have been rarely taken but captive western gorillas average 157 kg (346 lb) in males and 80 kg (176 lb) in females. Until recently it was considered a single species, but DNA evidence has led to the recognition of the eastern and western populations as distinct species: Gorilla beringei and Gorilla gorilla, respectively. A male and female western lowland gorilla photographed at Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. Western lowland females may go gray below the ears and on the neck and top of the head as they age. Gorilla group structure is well established. A FOUR-MONTH-OLD baby gorilla has been pictured at Bristol Zoo Gardens ahead of the site's reopening on Monday. Western lowland gorillas can be distinguished from other gorilla subspecies by their slightly smaller size, their brown-grey coats and auburn chests. Populations can be found in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea as well as in large areas in Gabon and the Republic of Congo. Some scientists estimate that it has killed about one third of the wild gorilla population, mostly western lowland gorillas. Fast Facts: Western Lowland Gorilla Scientific Name: Gorilla gorilla gorilla Distinguishing Features: Relatively small gorilla with dark brownish black hair and large skull. Gorillas utilise a range of plant species for consumption and shelter. Western Lowland gorillas are a subspecies of the Western gorilla, they are typically found in Africa, Congo or Nigeria; Eastern Gorillas is the second most recognized species of gorillas usually found in Nigeria or Cameroon. The western lowland gorilla is an exclusively vegetarian gorilla that lives in family groups led by a dominant male, that can be distinguished by its silver whitish back. But like most gorillas, western lowland gorillas are Critically Endangered in the wild. The western lowland gorilla is one of two subspecies of the western gorilla that lives in montane, primary and secondary forest and lowland swampland in central Africa in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Updated October 31st, 2018. The gorilla is the largest and heaviest of the great apes. Western lowland gorillas are the smallest of the four sub-species. Western lowland gorillas are the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies, which also include the Cross River gorillas, Grauer’s gorillas, and mountain gorillas. Why you shouldn’t fear a little mud on your next hike. Gorilla populations have also been ravaged by infectious diseases. Gorillas are sustainableeaters. WWF® and ©1986 Panda Symbol are owned by WWF. Here's how we'll cope. The ears also appear small in relation to the head. “The western lowland gorilla has been observed using basic tools in the wild in order to more effectively gather food“ The Western Lowland Gorilla is an intelligent animal sharing 98% of its DNA with that of humans.However, despite our similarities, there are many differences between humans and these gorillas. In addition, WWF has contributed to Ebola research and efforts to develop a vaccine for gorillas. Though they’re normally quiet animals, western lowland gorillas have an extensive array of vocalizations—at least 22 different hoots, barks, and screams, each with its own meaning. Exhibit African Forest. Gorillas can climb trees, but they’re usually found on the ground in communities—known as troops—of up to 30 individuals. Males can weigh up to 600 pounds (270 kg) and stand 6 feet (1.8 m) on all fours [females usually weigh less than 120 kg-265 pounds]. Western Lowland Gorillas mostly live in rainforests, swamp forest, brush, riverine forests and forest edges which … Nearly 80 percent of western lowland gorillas live in unprotected areas that are vulnerable to poaching. Indeed, western lowland gorillas are more numerous than the other three gorilla subspecies including their Cross River gorilla “cousins” and the two subspecies of eastern gorilla: the mountain gorilla and Grauer’s gorilla, formerly known as the eastern lowland gorilla. Ecotourism could help the ‘Amazon of North America’ recover. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. As the most widespread gorilla subspecies, the western lowland gorilla can be found across more than 270,000 square miles of central and West Africa—including Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo. Type. Endangered facts. WWF and its partners are working to establish a network of protected areas across the Congo Basin and are promoting development of logging and mining industries that are well managed both ecologically and socially. They also have wider skulls with more pronounced brow ridges and smaller ears. James R. Davis (in memoriam, July 17, 2017) designed by Bob Hess. https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/mammals/western-lowland-gorilla The western lowland gorilla is the smallest of the gorilla species. View our inclusive approach to conservation, 5 forest-dwelling wildlife species we love. Gorillas have a characteristic body shape with a broad chest, heavy neck and strong hands and feet. The western lowland gorilla ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is one of two subspecies of the western gorilla ( Gorilla gorilla) that lives in montane, primary and secondary forests and lowland swamps in central Africa. Though gorillas can stand upright, they prefer traveling on all fours, pushing themselves forward with their knuckles and soles of their feet. Found in six countries across Central Africa, it is threatened with habitat loss and bushmeat hunting across much of its range. Read more about western lowland gorillas here. Young adult males and females will travel to join other groups of gorillas, particularly troops in neighboring territories. Conservation groups aim to change that by working with local and national authorities to strengthen penalties for poaching and improve land-use planning to better protect the gorilla’s habitat. Climate change further threatens their habitat as warming temperatures dry out the region, making it more vulnerable to fire and forest retreat. Gorillas and humans are close relatives, and share many things in common. Habitat. They also have a differently shaped nose and lip than other subspecies. Like their cousins, western lowland gorillas are endangered and face the loss of their habitat. Western lowland gorillas are endemic to Central Africa. New clues rule out one theory. Mammals Area. Western gorillas are exceptionally large and powerful primates. Despite their enormous strength gorillas are gentle creatures which are only dangerous when threatened. The western lowland gorilla is the most numerous and widespread of all gorilla subspecies. description. Western lowland gorillas have black, dark grey or dark brown-grey fur with a brownish forehead. The exact number of western lowland gorillas is not known because they inhabit some of the most dense and remote rainforests in Africa. “The follow and habituation of gorillas in Dzanga-Sangha would never have been possible without the extensive knowledge of the BaAka trackers, which are the real backbone of our program,” says Chloe Cippoletta, who led the Dzanga-Sangha habituation field staff for years. Ebola has caused a number of massive gorilla and chimpanzee die-offs in the remote forests at the heart of the primates’ ranges. Western lowland gorillas are the smallest of the four sub-species. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Western Lowland gorillas are seed dispersers, which mean they carr y seeds from one place to another, and this trait is beneficial to many of the animals in the forest. He and two baby female lowland gorillas were hand raised at the Zoo hospital. The big "guys" Gorillas are the largest primates in the world. The Ebola virus has likely spread throughout much of the western lowland gorilla’s range. Troops are led by one dominant, older adult male, often called a silverback because of the swath of silver hair that adorns his otherwise dark fur. No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died, Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population, Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild, Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild, Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future, Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened. Western Lowland Gorilla captured by hunters. Western lowland gorillas live in lowland tropical forests in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, and Nigeria. Vistitors at the lookout station, Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve. Western lowland gorillas make their home in tropical rainforests, swamp forests, brush, secondary forests, abandoned farming areas, riverine forests, clearings and forest edges. Western Lowland Gorillas mostly live in rainforests, swamp forest, brush, riverine forests and forest edges which range from sea level to 1,300 metres. They forage in family-like groups led by a mature silverback, often covering up to three kilometres per day in search of food. They also have wider skulls with more pronounced brow ridges and smaller ears. The Western Lowland Gorillas body is covered by short, thin grey-black or brown-black hair. 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