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The Gorilla is the largest living primate on earth. After Chimpanzees, this is the closest relative to humans, sharing approx. 95-99 % of our DNA. Researchers have shown that Gorillas live in complex social groups, have individual personalities, make and use tools, and show emotions such as sadness and compassion. Nevertheless, both genuses, Western and Eastern, are critically endangered, according to the IUCN.
The home of Gorillas are the tropical and subtropical forests of sub-Saharan Africa. Gorillas are found in a wide range of altitudes, e.g. in the Virunga Mountains at an altitude of 7 200 - 14 100 ft and also in dense forests and lowland swamps, as low as at sea level.
Gorillas are divided into two recognized species and each species is divided into two subspecies.
Did you know… if you see a Gorilla in a Zoo, it will most likely be a Western Lowland Gorilla. Exceptions are the Eastern Lowland Gorilla in Antwerp Zoo, and several Mountain Gorillas kept in captivity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Western Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla) These are the most numerous representatives of Gorillas. They have a black, dark gray or dark brown-gray coat with a brownish forehead. Adult males have an average height of 5.5 ft and a weight of 346 lb. Adult females have an average height of 4.4 ft and a weight of 176 lb. The Western Gorilla is divided into two subspecies:
Western Gorillas live in groups of 2 - 20 individuals. These groups consist of at least one male, several females and their offspring. The group is led by a dominant Silverback male. Younger males usually leave the group when they reach adulthood. The group has a territory of up to 18 sq miles, but does not actively defend it. The Western Gorilla’s diet is high in fiber, including leaves, stems, fruits, flowers, bark and invertebrates. Gorillas have a long lifespan and can survive in the wild for up to 40 years.
Did you know that… the Silverback is the dominant male, with a visible stripe of silver fur appearing on his back at about 12 years of age? He has distinctive canines, which develop during adulthood. He usually leads a Gorilla group.
Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei) This is the largest living primate. The coat is evenly long, the face and chest are black, otherwise the coat varies from blue-black to brown-gray. Animals living high in the mountains have longer fur. The Eastern Gorilla has a large head, a wide chest and long arms, a flat nose with large nostrils. Males have long, sharp canines. The adult male measures 5.6 ft upright and weighs 309 - 453 lb. The female measures 4.9 ft upright and weighs 200-220 lb. As a result of illegal hunting, their population has decreased by 70 % in the last 20 years. Since September 2016, the Eastern Gorilla has been on the list of critically endangered species.
There are two subspecies of Eastern Gorilla:
Did you know… Gorilla spends about 30 % every day searching for food, 30 % of the time in eating and 40 % in resting?
Gorillas build nests for day and night use. The nests are simple clusters of branches and leaves with a diameter of about 2 - 5 ft. Gorillas, unlike Chimpanzees and Orangutans, tend to sleep in nests on the ground. The young sleep in nests with their mothers and build their own nests at the age of 3 years, at first close to their mothers' nests. The construction of nests by apes is now considered not only as animal architecture, but as an important example of the use of tools.
A team led by Thomas Breuer of the Wildlife Conservation Society observed in September 2005 how Gorillas use tools in the wild. In the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in Congo, female Gorillas were observed using a stick to determine the depth of water when crossing a swamp. Another female used a tree stump as a bridge and support when catching fish. This means that, to the best of our knowledge, all apes use tools.
Gorillas are closely related to humans and are considered very intelligent. Several captive individuals, such as the Koko Gorilla, have learned some sign language. Her "vocabulary" was about 2 000 words.
Gorillas have unique fingerprints, just like humans. But Gorillas also have a unique nose pattern. It is specific to each Gorilla. Since you can't see their fingers at first glance, you can use a noseprint to distinguish two similar-looking individuals.
Gorillas have also become the inspiration for writers and filmmakers. Just recall Tarzan, King Kong or Conan the Barbarian.
Despite a population of up to 200 000 individuals, Gorillas are one of the most endangered apes in the world. Both Eastern and Western Gorillas are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. There are many threats to their survival, such as poaching, habitat destruction and diseases that threaten them on a daily basis.
Poaching and Bushmeat Commercial trade in bushmeat (the meat of African wild animals as food) occurs throughout West and Central Africa, and is the greatest threat to Gorillas today. Poachers kill Gorillas primarily to meet the growing demand for meat in urban centers, where the consumption of monkey meat is considered as prestigious among the rich elite.
Although Gorillas may represent a minor proportion of all animals killed as bushmeat, they are easy targets for hunters. In many areas, Gorilla hunters are preferred because of the weight of the meat sold. It is difficult to estimate the number of poached Gorillas, because they are often consumed locally or their meat is smoked for later sale in cities.
The low reproductive rate of Gorillas means that even low levels of hunting can cause a decline in the population. Gorillas are also often maimed or killed by traps intended for other forest animals, such as antelopes.
Traditional Medicine Gorillas are also sought after and hunted to obtain body parts, to which magical effects are attributed in traditional medicine.
Loss and Fragmentation of the Natural Environment The rapid degradation of the natural environment of Gorillas due to logging, mining, agriculture and road construction poses a significant threat to the remaining populations of wild Gorillas. Habitat loss and fragmentation also lead to the creation of isolated populations that suffer from other diseases and inbreeding problems.
Diseases Gorillas are closely related to humans and share similar anatomical and physiological features. As a result, they are vulnerable to many human diseases. However, because Gorillas do not have the necessary immunity, exposure to a disease or virus that is relatively harmless to humans can destroy an entire population. For example, between 2002 and 2003, in the Odzala National Park and its surroundings, 95 % of the population of 600 Gorillas died.
Civil Unrest The Rwandan Genocide of 1994 was followed by years of civil war in the DRC. Refugees from both conflicts fled to an area near the Mountain Gorilla Park network. This became a battlefield and a refuge for militias. At that time, more than 100 park patrols died while protecting the parks.
Saving Gorillas in the wild is a complex and difficult task. It includes the protection of areas of occurrence, work with local people and also with the general public around the world. Let's see what else can be done.
Ecotourism The development of Ecotourism in areas with a minimum of other employment can change the lives not only of the locals but also of Gorillas.
Support Local Communities and Ecotourism Many poachers hunt bushmeat due to poverty and a lack of basic resources for their survival. There is a need to offer local communities a solution to their uneasy situation and to show that hunting of protected Gorillas is inevitably bad. Alternatives can take the form of new job opportunities in the field of tourism and taking advantage of travelers' interest in exotic holidays. At the same time, better education will help to raise the standards of the local population and thus protect the lives of Gorillas.
Increase the Efficiency of Protected Areas Gorillas need a home where they can raise a new generation without fear. A place that will be safe. Therefore, it is necessary to consistently preserve the current protected facilities and further expand these areas. Local conservationists need quality equipment so that they can work under the difficult conditions of African forests every day. The expansion of areas will bring further job opportunities to the region.
Stop Illegal Trade in Gorilla Products As the black market in wild animals has virtually no borders, close collaboration between governmental and non-governmental organizations is needed. One such non-governmental organization is TRAFIC, which deals with the struggle against sellers, and therefore against poachers. It is the thorough investigation and disclosure of sales channels that leads to the gradual termination of the routes through which captured animals are taken. If there is no demand, supply will also disappear.
Everyone can get involved! How can YOU help?
Choose Sustainable Foods After Indonesia, the production of palm oil, which is part of the food industry, also affects Africa. There, of course, it also threatens the Gorillas. Therefore, when buying, choose foods that contain palm oil from sustainable sources. Find out where your food comes from.
Buy Sustainable Wood Products By purchasing FSC-certified forest products, consumers, retailers, traders and producers help protect Gorilla habitats by promoting sustainable forestry and reducing illegal logging. Without the FSC label, wood may come from illegal sources, such as Central Africa.
Recycle Cell Phones and Electronics A large number of precious metals are mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo – the country which is home to most Gorillas. These metals are used in cell phones and other electronics. If you recycle your cell phones and other old electronics, it will help reduce the demand for these metals (and hunting, which often occurs due to logging camps in the woods), and thus help in the protection of Gorillas and their habitats.
Share Information with Friends Maybe your friends don't know about the threats Gorillas are facing in Africa. Share the information you find, share the threats, as well as protection successes. Motivate others to get involved in protection in any way they can.