The gorilla is a great ape species that lives throughout the central region of Africa, where they prefer mountainous forests, tropical rainforests, and bamboo forests. This species is divided into two species: the western gorilla and the eastern gorilla. The western gorilla is further divided into the western lowland and Cross River subspecies, while the eastern gorilla is divided into the mountain and eastern lowland subspecies. On average, gorillas typically grow to over 5 feet in height with males weighing between 300 and 453 pounds. This makes gorillas the largest primate in the world. The eastern gorilla species are usually larger than their western counterpart. Gorillas are social animals that live in communities of between 2 to more than 50 individuals, although the average is between 5 and 10. This article takes a closer look at the conservation status, threats, and global population of the gorilla.
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Conservation Status Of Gorillas
Over the last few decades, the wild gorilla population has been rapidly declining. Some areas have lost over half the gorilla population between 1983 and 2000. Between 2005 and 2013, for example, the western lowland gorilla population experienced an 18.75% decline. The eastern woodland gorilla has lost 77% of its numbers in just one generation, a trend that is continuing at a 5% loss every year. If the current population decline continues, eastern woodland gorillas are expected to experience an overall loss of 93% by 2054. Apple computer desktop setup. Today, all 4 subspecies of gorillas are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Threats To The Gorilla Population Of The World
The biggest threats faced by gorillas include habitat destruction, poaching, and disease.
Large tracts of traditionally gorilla-inhabited territory have been destroyed by a number of industries, including agriculture and forestry. As trees are cut down to be sold as timber and to make way for increasing agricultural activity, gorillas are left with smaller and more fragmented areas in which to survive. In addition to decreased territory size, the ecosystem needed for gorillas to thrive is also destroyed.
Illegal poaching is another significant threat to gorillas in the wild. In urban areas, wealthy residents view eating gorilla meat as a sign of prestige, therefore creating a high demand for gorilla bushmeat. Many primate species are at risk of poaching, but hunters tend to prefer gorillas due to their large size, which provides significantly more meat that can be sold on the market.
In addition to the previously mentioned threats to gorilla security, disease is also detrimental this species. The western gorillas, for example, have suffered significant deaths due to the Ebola virus. It is believed to have caused a 33% loss in this population between 1992 and 2007. In 1994, the entire population in Gabon, which was once the second largest living in a protected area, was lost due to this virus. Additionally, in Odzala National Park of the Republic of Congo, 95% of its 600 gorillas died as a result of Ebola. Eurocode 2: design of concrete structures.
Gorillas In The Wild
The threats facing gorillas have led to significant declines and, in some cases, complete loss of populations throughout central Africa. Today, lowland-inhabiting gorillas outnumber those found in mountainous and upland regions. Of lowland gorillas, those in the west have a larger population size than those in the east.
Western lowland gorillas are believed to have a wild population size of around 100,000. This species can be found in: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. Within these countries, it tends to inhabit the lowland swamps and montane forests, both primary and secondary.
Eastern lowland gorillas are numbered at approximately 4,000 in the wild. This species is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it can be found in montane forests. Because of its endemic nature, the eastern lowland gorilla is particularly susceptible to the previously mentioned threats. The majority of this population lives in protected areas, including: the Tayna Gorilla Reserve, the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, and the Maiko National Park. Others can be found in the Usala forest and the Itombwe Massif mountains.
Mountain gorillas have one of the smallest subspecies populations. Only around 880 are currently living and divided into 2 populations within three countries: Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. One population inhabits the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. https://softfiles.mystrikingly.com/blog/ms-dos-external-hard-drive. The second population inhabits 3 national parks within the Virunga Volcanic mountains: Virunga in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mgahinga in Uganda, and Volcanoes in Rwanda.
The Cross River gorilla has the smallest population of all the subspecies. With only between 250 and 300 remaining, it is the scarcest great ape species in the world. It can only be found along the border between Nigeria and Cameroon, where it inhabits the mountainous forests areas. Researchers believe this population exists in 11 communities within a 4,600 square-mile territory. The government of Cameroon established the Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary in April of 2008. It covers an area of 7.5 square miles, located in the western region of the country. Roughly half of this sanctuary consists of the mountainous forest habitats necessary for survival of this species.
Gorillas In Captivity
Many gorillas are also kept in captivity around the world, primarily in zoos. Of the 4 gorilla subspecies, only 2 are believed to currently be held in zoos: western lowland and eastern lowland. Approximately 4,000 western lowland gorillas and only 24 eastern lowland gorillas are living in zoos. The eastern lowland gorillas in captivity are primarily found in zoos within its native habitat. The exception to this is the Antwerp Zoo, which is located in Antwerp, Belgium.
Small numbers of gorillas have been confiscated from poachers and illegal traders. Once found, they have been placed in captivity at various rehabilitation centers. Eastern lowland gorillas are currently being kept at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education center at the Tayna Nature Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The only mountain gorillas known to be in captivity are held at the Senkwekwe Center at the Virunga National Park in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eastern lowland gorillas are now classed as being Critically Endangered, which is bad news for us and for their forest home
Hi, this is Karolina,
If you've been following our Blog from the field, you will have read my colleague Tuver's reaction to the news that the eastern lowland gorilla (otherwise known as the Grauer's gorilla) has now gone from being classed as ‘endangered' to being declared ‘critically-endangered'. He gave us five key reasons why, despite our best efforts, this sub-species of gorilla is being pushed closer and closer to extinction.
I've been lucky enough to see eastern lowland gorillas in the wild. Just a moment in their presence is enough to convince you that we need to do all we can to keep them safe. And if you really do need more convincing, here, to follow up from Tuver's great blog post, are five of my own reasons why it's more important than ever to keep the Grauer's gorilla safe for generations to come:
Gorillas In The Wild Videos
1. Gorillas are one of our closest and largest living relatives: We share over 98% of DNA with these gentle giants. These magnificent animals are the worlds' largest primates. A silverback eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) can reach up to 250kg (39st 5lb) in weight, from a diet that is almost exclusively vegetarian.
2. Like us, they like their home comforts: Even gorillas have a bedtime routine. After a long day of travelling, foraging and eating, a gorilla will skillfully create its nest from branches and leaves. Fun fact: Unlike chimpanzees that also build nests, gorillas do not return to their beds, so a new nest will be created every night.
Wild Gorillas In Africa
3. They're guardians of the forest: Living in the war-torn DR Congo means that illegal poaching is significantly more likely in their habitat. The Gorilla Organization staff that work closely with Grauer's gorillas in the Walikale Community and Gorilla Conservation Reserve report that gorillas help protect other animals by dismantling simple traps that they find on the forest floor during their foraging and travelling activities. This intelligent behaviour helps prevent young gorillas being caught in the snares and also helps prevent lethal injury to duikers, bush pigs and other animals.
4. Gorillas are important to indigenous communities: Many local indigenous tribes and communities living alongside the gorilla habitat consider the gorillas to be their patron gods. The Kisimba clan (Bahumba) believe they descended from the gorillas. Their traditional tale tells a story of a gorilla rescuing a man that was lost and stuck high up in a tree. https://clertagtyterf1980.wixsite.com/songfree/post/microsoft-office-2016-16-16-18-full. To save the man, a gorilla climbed up the tree and gently placed him on his silver back before carrying him back to safety.
5. Gorillas are critically endangered: The forest will never be same if the gorillas are gone. The Grauer's gorilla population has declined by more than 77% in just one generation (approximately 13 years). This means they are now classified as 'critically endangered' by IUCN (Appendix 1; red list of endangered species). The drastic population decline is attributed to habitat loss, poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Illegal coltan mines (minerals used in smart phone and computer production) are controlled by militia in the gorilla habitat (DRC) and contribute to habitat destruction and poaching.
As always, your help is crucial if we are to step up our efforts to save this, and all sub-species of gorilla, from extinction, so than you for your continued support!