Western Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorilla

Mighty, intelligent and gentle Western Lowland Gorillas are well-loved apes, they are #critically endangered by #deforestation and habitat loss for #palmoil, cocoa and mining along with disease and illegal poaching in #Congo #Nigeria #Cameroon Help them to survive every time you shop! Join the #Boycott4Wildlife

Western Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorilla

https://youtu.be/KN2xyKHGpnI

Mighty and gentle Western Lowland Gorilla are well-loved apes , they are #critically endangered by #deforestation for #palmoil #cocoa in #Congo #Nigeria #Cameroon Help them to survive! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/07/10/western-lowland-gorilla-gorilla-gorilla/

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Despite superior intelligence and tight-knit families, Western Lowland #Gorillas are critically #endangered by #palmoil and #tobacco #deforestation and #poaching Don’t let them vanish! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/07/10/western-lowland-gorilla-gorilla-gorilla/

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Critically Endangered

Angola (Cabinda); Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo; Equatorial Guinea (Equatorial Guinea (mainland)); Gabon; Nigeria

Habitat loss is emerging as a major threat to Western Gorillas. Other threats include disease and poaching. As oil-palm plantations in Asia reach capacity, Africa is becoming the new frontier for this crop, offering excellent economic prospects in countries with appropriate rainfall, soil and temperatures (Rival and Lavang 2014). Unfortunately, such areas coincide with good Gorilla habitat: 73.8% of the Western Lowland Gorilla’s range is considered suitable for oil palm (Wich et al. 2014).

IUCN red list

Western Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorillaWestern Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorillaWestern Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorillaWestern Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorillaWestern Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorilla

Western Lowland Gorillas are found in Angola (Cabinda enclave), Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), mainland Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni), Gabon, Nigeria and Republic of Congo. Until recently, the core population had an almost continuous distribution from southern CAR to the Congo River and west to the coast. Rivers are the primary geographic barrier for this taxon, followed by habitat fragmentation: the two subspecies are separated by a major river (the Sanaga), and Western Lowland Gorillas are divided into subpopulations by other major rivers in the region (Anthony et al. 2007, Fünfstück et al. 2014, Fünfstück and Vigilant 2015).

The northwestern limit of the western lowland subspecies distribution is the Sanaga River in Cameroon; the northern limit is the forest-savanna boundary to a maximum of roughly 6°N; the eastern limit is the Ubangi River; the Congo River south of its confluence with the Ubangi then becomes the southeastern and southern limits all the way to the coast. Small outlying populations of the Cross River subspecies remain on the Nigeria-Cameroon border at the headwaters of the Cross River and in the proposed Ebo National Park in Cameroon. Most Western Gorillas are found below 500 m asl, but those living on mountains occasionally reach elevations of 1,900 m asl.

Western Gorillas are diurnal and semi-terrestrial. They build nests to sleep in every night, usually on the ground but sometimes in trees. They are social and live in stable, cohesive groups composed of one “silverback” adult male, several adult females and their offspring. Gorillas are not territorial and group ranges overlap extensively.

Western Lowland Gorillas occur in both swamp and lowland forests throughout Western Equatorial Africa. They are especially common where ground vegetation is dominated by monocotyledonous plants. Their staple foods are leaves and shoots of the Marantaceae family, whereas fruit consumption varies greatly between seasons (Rogers et al. 2004). Some populations spend hours feeding on aquatic herbs in swamps. Social ants and termites are the only animal matter deliberately eaten. Group size averages 10, but is occasionally over 20 individuals, and annual home ranges are usually 10–25 km² (Williamson and Butynski 2013).

Male Western Gorillas take 18 years to reach full maturity, whereas females take around 10 years. Their length of the reproductive cycle is unknown. Infant mortality up to three years of age is 22–65%. Infants suckle for 4–5 years, causing lactational amenorrhea in the mother. Interbirth intervals are 4–6 years. Western Gorillas appear to reproduce more slowly than Eastern Gorillas (G. beringei). The maximum length of their lives is unknown but likely to be around 40 years. Generation time is estimated to be 22 years.

The recent expansion of industrial-scale mineral extraction and the creation of open-pit mines are of great concern (Edwards et al. 2014, Lanjouw 2014), and also lead to the establishment of development corridors, which can be several kilometres wide and add to areas of “lost forest” (Laurance et al. 2015). There is a disconnect between the various bodies responsible for land-use planning in the realms of conservation, mining and agriculture in all Western Gorilla range states except Gabon. Consequently, there is increasing competition for land between long-term conservation needs and immediate financial gain as governments explore the potential of clearing natural habitat in favour of economic development. Without careful and immediate land-use planning that involves cooperation between the government bodies responsible for protected areas and wildlife on one hand, and economic and agricultural development on the other, large areas of Western Lowland Gorilla habitat could be cleared within a few decades.

You can support this beautiful animal

Ape Action Africa

PASA Primates

Virunga National Park

Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund

Further Information

Maisels, F., Bergl, R.A. & Williamson, E.A. 2018. Gorilla gorilla (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T9404A136250858. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T9404A136250858.en. Downloaded on 06 June 2021.

Western Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorilla

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

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Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

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Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

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How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

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Eastern Gorilla Gorilla beringei

Eastern Gorilla Gorilla beringei

Critically Endangered

Location: Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda

The Eastern gorilla, the largest living primate, is a symbol of strength, intelligence, and resilience. Divided into two subspecies—the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) and Grauer’s gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri)—this critically endangered great ape inhabits the montane and lowland forests of East and Central Africa. Despite their ecological significance as seed dispersers and their cultural importance, Eastern gorillas face imminent threats from habitat destruction, poaching, and disease.

Between the two subspecies, there are estimated to be fewer than 5,000 individuals remaining in the wild. According to IUCN, there are 1,063 Mountain gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei and an estimated 3,800 Grauer’s gorilla Gorilla beringei graueri.

Their survival hinges on swift and strong protections for their habitat and enforcement of the illegal wildlife trade. Join the fight for these gentle giants—boycott palm oil and support efforts to protect their habitats. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/2bZBlLrjiJw

Eastern #Gorillas are powerful yet gentle. They’re critically endangered in #Uganda #Congo #Rwanda due to complex threats incl. #poaching and #palmoil #deforestation. Protect them! #BoycottPalmOil ️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/03/27/eastern-gorilla-gorilla-beringei/

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Eastern #Gorillas are large! Males weigh up to 200kg. They use vocalisations, facial expressions, and body language to communicate. #Critically #endangered by #mining #palmoil #deforestation and #poaching. ️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/03/27/eastern-gorilla-gorilla-beringei/

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Appearance and Behaviour

Eastern gorillas are the largest of all gorilla species, with adult males (silverbacks) weighing up to 200 kg and standing 1.7 metres tall when upright. Females are smaller, weighing around 90–100 kg. They are characterised by their robust build, long black hair, and pronounced sagittal crests in males, which support their massive jaw muscles.

Mountain gorillas have thicker, longer fur, adapted for the cold, high-altitude climates of the Virunga Mountains, while Grauer’s gorillas have shorter fur suited to the tropical lowland and mid-altitude forests of the DRC. These gorillas are highly intelligent, with advanced tool-use capabilities and complex social structures.

They live in groups of 5–30 individuals led by a dominant silverback, who protects the group, mediates conflicts, and determines movement patterns. Eastern gorillas communicate using an extensive repertoire of vocalisations, facial expressions, and body language, including chest-beating displays to signal dominance or ward off threats.

Geographic Range

Eastern gorillas are endemic to the forests of East and Central Africa. The mountain gorilla is confined to the Virunga Massif, spanning Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas remain (IUCN, 2020).

Grauer’s gorilla, the largest gorilla subspecies, resides exclusively in the lowland and mid-altitude forests of eastern DRC. Their population has declined by 80% in recent decades, with fewer than 3,800 individuals estimated to survive in fragmented habitats (Fauna & Flora International, 2024).

Previously estimated to number around 16,900 individuals, recent surveys show that Grauer’s Gorilla numbers have dropped to only 3,800 individuals – a 77% reduction in just one generation (ibid.) This rate of population loss is almost three times above that which qualifies a species as Critically Endangered.

IUCN red list

Diet

Diets of Eastern Gorillas vary greatly with elevation and the availability of food. Mountain Gorillas are largely herbivorous and feed on stems, pith, leaves, bark, and occasionally ants. Their favouritge food items are wild celery, thistles, nettles, bedstraw, wood and roots. Both subspecies feed almost exclusively on young bamboo shoots when they are in season twice a year. Gorillas at lower elevations have a more diverse and seasonal diet. Both Grauer’s Gorillas in lowland forest and Bwindi Gorillas are frugivorous.

Eastern Gorillas are diurnal and semi-terrestrial. After waking, they feed intensively and then alternate rest, travelling and feeding until night-time. All Gorillas build nests to sleep in, some in trees, but the majority of their nests are on the ground. Gorillas are not territorial, and there is extensive overlap between the annual home ranges of different groups, which vary in size from 6–40 km².

Reproduction and Mating

Eastern gorillas have slow reproductive rates, with females reaching sexual maturity at around 10 years of age and giving birth to a single infant every 4–6 years. The gestation period lasts approximately 8.5 months. Infant mortality is high, with only about 50% surviving to adulthood.

Infants are entirely dependent on their mothers for the first three years, clinging to their fur and nursing. Male silverbacks play a protective role, guarding young gorillas from predators or rival males. However, habitat fragmentation and stress caused by human disturbances have disrupted these delicate reproductive cycles, exacerbating population decline (National Geographic, 2024).

Take Action!

Virunga National Park works tirelessly to protect gorilla habitats, combat poaching, and engage local communities in conservation. Long-term survival requires scaling these efforts and addressing habitat destruction at its root causes.

You can make a difference for Eastern gorillas. Boycott palm oil, support organisations involved in ecosystem and gorilla protection such as Virunga National Park and advocate for stricter wildlife protection laws. Share their story and help secure a future for these majestic primates. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Threats

Conservation efforts have yielded some success for mountain gorillas, whose numbers have slowly increased due to intensive monitoring, anti-poaching patrols, and ecotourism initiatives in protected areas like Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. However, Grauer’s gorillas remain critically endangered, with declining populations.

• Poaching: Despite the fact that all killing, capture or consumption of great apes is illegal, hunting represents the greatest threat to Grauer’s Gorillas and laws against the illegal wildlife trade are poorly enforced.
• Habitat loss and degradation: Corporate agricultural activities for tobacco, palm oil plantations, cocoa and coffee cause continuing loss and fragmentation of Gorilla habitat in DRC. Over 70% of Grauer’s gorilla habitat has been degraded or lost since the 1990s (IUCN, 2020). Illegal mining has decimated the lowlands of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a Grauer’s Gorilla stronghold. Destruction of forest for timber, charcoal production along with palm oil, tobacco and cocoa agriculture continues to threaten the isolated Gorilla populations that persist in North Kivu and the Itombwe Massif. Eastern Gorillas as forced into smaller patches of fragmented forests.
• Human diseases: Due to their close genetic relationship to humans and physiological similarities, Gorillas are highly susceptible to many human diseases such as respiratory infections and Ebola, which have caused significant population declines.
• Armed conflict and civil war: For two decades, refugees, internally-displaced people and numerous armed groups have placed enormous pressure on DRC’s forests through uncontrolled habitat conversion for farmland, harvesting of firewood, timber extraction and mining. Armed conflict has exacerbated poaching and hunting for bushmeat, traditional medicine, and trophies.
• Small Population Size: Genetic bottlenecks due to population fragmentation increase the risk of inbreeding and reduce resilience to environmental changes.

Eastern Gorillas (Gorilla beringei) live in the mountainous forests of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, northwest Rwanda and southwest Uganda. This region was the epicentre of Africa’s “world war”, to which Gorillas have also fallen victim.

IUCN Red LIST

• Climate change: Climate change is predicted to impact the forests of the Albertine Rift escarpment, leading to the upslope migration of species and key Gorilla habitat, notably montane forest (Ayebare et al. 2013). Increased temperatures and modified rainfall patterns are also likely to result in changes in food availability and habitat quality (McGahey et al. 2013).

The Mountain Gorilla subspecies (Gorilla beringei beringei), was listed as Critically Endangered since 1996. Although a drastic reduction of the Grauer’s Gorilla subspecies (Gorilla beringei graueri), has long been suspected, quantitative evidence of the decline has been lacking (Robbins and Williamson 2008). During the past 20 years, Grauer’s Gorillas have been severely affected by human activities, most notably poaching for bushmeat associated with artisanal mining camps and for commercial trade (Plumptre et al. 2016). This illegal hunting has been facilitated by a proliferation of firearms resulting from widespread insecurity in the region. Previously estimated to number around 16,900 individuals, recent surveys show that Grauer’s Gorilla numbers have dropped to only 3,800 individuals – a 77% reduction in just one generation (ibid.) This rate of population loss is almost three times above that which qualifies a species as Critically Endangered.

Mountain Gorillas have been faring substantially better; one of the two subpopulations is recovering from an all-time low in the 1980s, making Mountain Gorillas the only great ape taxon that has been increasing in number (Gray et al. 2013). A 2015–2016, survey of the Virunga population has confirmed that it is still growing and has now increased to over 600 individuals, bringing the total population to roughly 1,000 (Hickey et al. 2018).

Grauer’s Gorillas continue to decline at an average rate of 5% per year (Plumptre et al. 2016). Even with the growth of the Mountain Gorilla subspecies, the overall decline of the Eastern Gorilla species is expected to exceed 80% over three generations due to the high levels of poaching, loss of habitat as human populations expand, and civil unrest and lawlessness in parts of this species’ geographic range. If unabated, in 2054, only 14% of the 1994 population will remain. Therefore, Eastern Gorillas qualify as Critically Endangered under criterion A (A4bcd).

Support the conservation of this species

Uganda Wildlife Authority

Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN)

Virunga National Park

Further Information

Earth.org. (2024). Eastern gorilla.

Fauna & Flora International. (2024). Grauer’s gorilla.

Jones, P. et al. (2024). Genetic diversity in Gorilla beringei populations.

International Fund for Animal Welfare. (2024). Eastern gorillas.

Photography by Dalida Innes Wildlife photography

Plumptre, A., Robbins, M.M. & Williamson, E.A. 2019. Gorilla beringei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T39994A115576640. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T39994A115576640.en. Downloaded on 11 March 2021.

National Geographic. (2024). Mountain gorilla.

Smith, J. et al. (2024). Role of Gorilla beringei in seed dispersal in Central African forests.

Eastern Gorilla Gorilla beringei

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

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