It has an intimidating size, making it the biggest of all primates in the world. London nwi 4ry accepted 23 february 1988 with 12 figures in the text there are over 600 gorillas in. Seventy percent of africas flora distribution is in the congo basin. They live in some of africas densest and most remote rainforests from sea level to about 1,600m. The birth of a lowland gorilla in captivity springerlink.
The eastern species split into lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas whilst the western species split into cross river gorillas and western lowland gorillas. About 67% of their diet is fruit, 17% is leaves, seeds and stems and 3% is termites and caterpillars. They live in troops of 520 animals and sleep on beds made of grass and leaves. In 2007 only 30,000, reduced from hundreds of thousands previously, of ivans gorilla type were.
Western lowland gorillas sexually mature in the wild between the ages of 7 to 8 and in captivity approximately 5 and a half years old. The eastern lowland gorilla gorilla beringei graueri or grauers gorilla, is a subspecies of eastern gorilla endemic to the mountainous forests of eastern democratic republic of the congo. Eastern lowland gorillas are the largest subspecies of gorilla, and adult males can reach up to 250kg 39st 5lb, making them the worlds largest primate. Other articles where western lowland gorilla is discussed. How long do gorillas live in jungle and in captivity. Difference between lowland and mountain gorillas compare. Western gorillas are generally lighter colored than eastern gorillas. A 7 yearold captiveborn motherreared gorilla gave birth to a healthy infant after being in labor for 27 min. Whenever you should doubt your selfworth, remember the lotus flower. People regularly say they are herbivores though this is untrue as they will eat insects as part of their diet. Eastern lowland gorillas can survive in captivity thats why you can find them in zoos.
Launched on august 21st, gorillas land is a webpage created by three gorillas the official gorilla studbook and the unofficial jim davis studbook. The western lowland gorilla gorilla gorilla gorilla is a heavily built primate and is the largest ape. Eastern lowland gorilla, photo by joe mckenna courtesy flickr via cc 2. Geographic distribution and habitat the western lowland gorilla is one of two subspecies of western gorilla the rare cross river gorilla being the other and is the most widespread of all gorillas, inhabiting the dense and remote tropical rainforests of cameroon, the central african republic, the democratic republic of congo, equatorial guinea, gabon, angola, and the isolated lowland swampy. The eastern lowland gorillaalso known as grauers gorillais the largest of the four gorilla subspecies. Gorilla simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Mountain gorilla is a subspecies of eastern gorillas that found in two populations.
Western lowland gorillas are primarily herbivorous, feeding on plant parts including seeds, leaves, stems, shoots, roots and flowers. Adult chimpanzees play more than adult lowland gorillas in. Eastern lowland gorillas differ from mountain gorillas in many ways. The alpha male eastern lowland gorilla also mates with the females in his group, producing generally single offspring, known as babies. The eastern lowland gorilla tends to live in groups which are led and protected by the alpha male. Many adult gorillas were killed to obtain live babies, none of which survived in captivity. Recent data show the number of western lowland gorillas to be about 100,000, eastern lowland gorillas about 17,000, and mountain gorillas about 700 and cross river about 300. In the kingdom of gorillas introduces readers to entire families of gorillas, from powerful silverback patriarchs to helpless newborn infants. In captivity, gorillas have displayed significant intelligence and have even learned simple human sign language. The weight of a male mountain gorilla ranges from 5kgs to 220kgs, compared to their lowland counterparts whose weight range between 65kgs and 180kgs.
In adult animals, play is a sign of social cohesion and is inhibited by strong competition. 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. They also tend to be a bit larger than other gorillas. The criticallyendangered eastern lowland gorillas of the congo are a sight to see. As their common name implies, western lowland gorillas live in lowland and swamp forests at elevations up to 1600 m 5249 ft while cross river gorillas inhabit lowlying and submontane forests at elevations from 150 to 1600 m 492 to 5249 ft sarmiento 2003. This study consisted of a sample of 12 western lowland gorillas and two eastern lowland gorillas, all in captivity. In captivity, the eastern gorilla typically survives 40 to 60 years.
Where do mountain gorillas live mountain gorilla habitat. Western lowland gorillas are a subspecies of the western gorilla and the smallest species of all gorilla subspecies. The exact number of western lowland gorillas is not known because they. The mountain gorillas are larger than the lowland cousins. Outside their native range, only one female eastern lowland gorilla lives in captivity, at the antwerp zoo in belgium. An adult male gorilla can weigh up to 225 kilograms and stand 1. The reason why they failed to survive is unclear, since lowland gorillas have been kept and even bred successfully in captivity. It is distinguished from other gorillas by its stocky body, large hands and short muzzle. As in humans, they do not have a determined reproductive season, and females give birth to. Their coats are jet black, and the hair greys as the animal matures. The size of the group varies between two to twenty animals, and is formed by at least the dominant male, several females and infants.
The mighty ape, named fritz, was put to sleep at nuremberg zoo after becoming increasingly frail. Gorillas never make it boring to observe their behaviours both in captivity as well as in wild. Despite its size, eastern lowland gorillas subsist mainly on fruit and other herbaceous materials, just like other gorilla subspecies. Eastern lowland gorillas are sociable and peaceful animals that feast on fruits, stems and bark, and small insects. Gorillas were studied in 15 zoos, they lived in 14 groups with male and female adults and immatures, 2 groups of adults without immatures, 3 adult pairs, 2 solitary silverbacks and several groups of immatures. Roles of gorillas in the eco system gorilla trekking. Nutrition of the captive western lowland gorilla gorilla. Important populations of this gorilla live in the kahuzibiega and maiko national parks and their adjacent forests, the tayna gorilla reserve, the usala forest and on the itombwe massif. Gorilla beringei and gorilla gorilla, respectively. Other classifications of gorillas are eastern gorillas and mountain gorillas. The estimated number of western lowland gorillas g.
The eastern lowland gorilla babies remain with their mother until they are a few years old and become. The western lowland gorilla is the most numerous and widespread of all gorilla subspecies. Western lowland gorillas live primarily on the ground and build sleeping nests on the ground or in the trees for the night. Jun 27, 2016 the eastern lowland gorilla is the largest of all gorilla subspecies. Measurements of wild individuals show that mature males average 1. The life span of an eastern gorilla gorilla berinji in the wild is from 30 to 40 years. Its scientific name is in honor of the austrian scientist rudolf grauer, who first identified this subspecies in the early twentieth century. One critical aspect of the daily life of a captive animal is the recommended andor provisioned diet.
The wwf organization says that scientists estimate that the population of eastern lowland gorillas has declined by. The western lowland gorilla is not the gorilla featured in the book and movie gorillas in the mist. A lot of research has been done to learn about this part of their life, but most of the information currently available comes from individuals in captivity, particularly in the cases of mountain gorillas gorilla beringei beringei and western lowland gorillas gorilla. Effects of the environment on the behaviour of lowland. Grauers gorilla, also known as the eastern lowland gorilla, is found only in the democratic republic of congo drc. Jul 26, 2014 they are slightly smaller than the eastern gorillas, enabling them to climb trees to eat fruit. Conservation beloved ivan beloved ivan ivan the gorilla. This study focuses on the diets of zoohoused gorillas.
The eastern lowland gorilla is one of two subspecies of eastern gorilla found roaming in the jungles on the african continent the other being the mountain gorilla. Other outstanding exhibits include those featuring the white bengal tiger and many species of insects. Lowland gorilla trekking safari holidays natural world safaris. Eastern lowland gorilla gorilla facts and information. The smallest of the gorilla subspecies, the male western lowland gorilla weighs up to 160 kilos, reaches a height, when standing, of 5ft 6 inches, with the females about half the size. The eastern lowland gorilla is more common than the mountain gorilla and is also one of the largest primates in the world the eastern lowland gorilla is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and forests. The gorilla is the largest species among primates and the male may weigh approximately 200 kilograms approximately 440 lbs. The eastern lowland gorilla or grauers gorilla gorilla beringei graueri is a subspecies of eastern gorilla endemic to the mountainous forests of eastern democratic republic of the congo. The study found that western lowland gorillas are more likely to be heterozygous than homozygous. Jun 07, 2016 gorillas have been shown to thrive in captivity, but some wonder if their display is tailored to the interests of the animals or the onlookers. Gorillas are the largest of the great apes, but the western lowland gorilla is the smallest of the subspecies. There are two different types of gorillas, eastern gorillas, and western gorillas. This reinforces previous evidence, still often ignored by zoo officials, that gorillas do not have to learn maternal behavior.
However, the species and subspecies could sometimes cause some confusion, especially when their scientific names are concerned. Gorilla gorilla gorilla iowa state university digital repository. Some six years since the virus hit, a new analysis shows things are looking up for the gorillas. Western lowland gorillas are the most common gorilla in the world, but even so, they are considered to be critically endangered due to hunting, the ebola virus and loss. New findings regarding the stereotypic behaviour of. Eastern lowland gorillas gorilla beringei graueri have been, and still are, severely affected by human activity, particularly since the 1990s when instability in their area of distribution escalated into civil war, and violence, human tragedy and economic disintegration overshadowed gorilla conservation. Mountain gorillas are about the same height, though they tend to weigh a bit more. Also the lowland gorillas can thrive in zoos contrary to the mountain gorillas that cannot survive in captivity. Gorillas are peaceful, intelligent animals, native to africa, who live in small groups led by one adult male, known as a silverback. Native to the congo basin, the western lowland gorilla.
Eastern lowland gorillas are the largest of the worlds three subspecies of gorillas facts about eastern lowland gorillas in the dr congo. The other western lowland gorillas are the cross river gorillas, practically extinct now. A male western lowland gorilla weighs 140170 kilograms and reaches a height of 1. Kahuzi biega is a tropical rain forest dominated by two outstanding extinct volcanoes. A gorilla does not budge from a banana thrown at it by a monkey. There are only four different gorilla species including eastern lowland gorillas which dwell within central africa d. Today, this subspecies is confined to the primary tropical forest of eastern drc most notably in kahuzibiega and maiko national parks, but a substantial portion of its habitat falls outside these areas in the vast, yet legally unprotected forest that separates them. Eastern lowland gorilla trekking virunga national park congo. They are hunted for the live animal trade and bush meat. 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. There were nearly 17,000 eastern lowland gorillas in the mid1990s but scientists estimate that the population has declined by more than 50% since then. The western lowland gorilla is the only subspecies kept in zoos with the exception of amahoro, a female. The habitat of eastern lowland gorillas is part of the ecosystem of the congo river basin. The biggest threat facing gorillas is the destruction of their forest habitat.
Where do gorillas live gorilla habitat gorilla facts. There are many more western lowland gorillas than the eastern variety. Western lowland gorilla disney animals wiki fandom. This subspecies may now occupy only % of its historical range. The genetic and demographic status of the western lowland gorilla gorilla g. The typical eastern lowland gorilla has an overall height of 44. Western lowland gorilla new england primate conservancy. Western lowland gorilla, facts and photos national geographic. Only a small number of people can visit the gorillas each day, so it is important to book gorilla permits well in. The eastern lowland gorilla makes its home in lowland tropical rainforests in the eastern drc. The young female was a wholly competent mother although she had never observed gorilla mothers or interacted with gorilla infants.
The western lowland gorilla gorilla gorilla gorilla is one of two subspecies of the western. Like the western species of gorilla, the eastern lowland gorillas walk on all fours, however, they use the knuckles on their hands instead of their palms. Rates of infant mortality vary between 22% and 65% for wild populations of western and eastern lowland gorilla, and recent studies on the virunga population of mountain gorillas estimated a 25. Western lowland gorillas have black, dark grey or dark browngrey fur with a brownish forehead. Congo river basin, mountain gorillas found in virunga. According to a 2004 report there were only about 5,000 eastern lowland gorillas in the wild, down to fewer than 3,800 in 2016, compared to over 100,000 western lowland gorillas. Adult chimpanzees play more than adult lowland gorillas in captivity.
They can be strong like chimpanzees and orangutans. The purpose of this study was to observe as many gorilla groups as possible and to compare their behaviour in different exhibits, social structures and visitor situation. You will find lowland gorillas in the forests in both western and central africa. Gorillas rebuilding after ebola outbreak live science. Most pure meaning they are not inbred western lowland gorillas have a homhet ratio that ranges from 0. Despite its size, eastern lowland gorillas subsist mainly on fruit and other herbaceous materials, just like other gorilla. Perhaps surprisingly, the habits of western lowland gorillas are less well known that those of eastern gorillas, even though the western type is more numerous. Jan 09, 2011 this sunday morning moment of nature takes you among the eastern lowland gorillas in the democratic republic of congo. Gorillas are mammals with a reproduction behavior similar to that of other hominids. A national survey of diets among zoohoused gorillas was conducted to examine diets being offered to captive gorillas in the united states and canada.
The eastern lowland gorilla also known as grauers gorilla is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies. The genetic and demographic status of the western lowland. Gorillas are indigenous parts of east, central and west africa and only exist elsewhere in captivity, apart from mountain gorillas that do not stay in captivity. The eastern lowland gorilla is the largest of the four eastern gorilla subspecies. The eastern lowland gorilla gorilla beringei graueri is found only in the tropical forests of eastern zaire, africa eastern lowland gorilla characteristics.
Gorillas in zoos the unpalatable truth may 31, 2016 3. However, because western lowland gorillas are the most common gorilla species in captivity, it is vital that their social dynamics be understood for better captive. Visitor effects on western lowland gorillas gorilla gorilla gorilla. Eastern lowland gorillasendangered species kahuzi biega. Gorillas have a characteristic body shape with a broad chest, heavy neck and strong. Western lowland gorillas are a highly endangered great ape species found in the rainforests of west africa. Nyano, the only cross river gorilla in captivity, is 25 years old. Western lowland gorillas are the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies, which also include the cross river gorillas, grauers gorillas, and mountain gorillas. Current population figures are not definite but it is estimated that there are 10,000, maybe even less, western lowland gorillas left in the wild. Weber and vedder take us with them as they slog through the rainsoaked mountain forests, observing the gorillas at rest and at play. 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. In the 1960s and 70s numerous attempts were made to capture live mountain gorillas and start a captive population. Eastern lowland gorilla gorilla berengei graueri animals. Eastern lowland gorilla trekking is another form of gorilla trekking only that this one is done in lowlands and on a different type of gorillas.
They are similar to mountain gorillas but can be distinguished by shorter fur, narrower faces and rounder nostrils. Thats the mountain gorilla one of the subspecies of eastern gorilla. Although relatively small in size, the eastern lowland gorilla has a larger and wider skull compared to the mountain gorilla. The species is categorized into three geographically distinct subspecies. Zoo biology the north american regional gorilla studbook is designed to be a tool. Populations of critically endangered western lowland gorillas are. Zoo population there is an eep for western lowland gorillas. A nightingale does not stop singing its beautiful song at the intrusion of an annoying woodpecker. Gorilla reproduction gorilla facts and information. There are only about 5,000 of them remaining in the wild, which is a sharp decline from an estimated. Western lowland gorillas build a nest every night out of plant material to sleep in and a day nest for their midday rest.
Western gorillas live in lowland, swamp, and montane forests from sea level to 1600 m 5249 ft butynski 2001. They have browner coats and the silver on the back of the male may extend to the lower body to include the thighs. Jun 18, 2012 a 2004 ebola outbreak killed up to 95 percent of one population of western lowland gorillas. May 31, 2016 gorillas in zoos the unpalatable truth may 31, 2016 3. Nov 15, 2012 meda 5400 video project on the eastern lowland gorillas of zaire. This subspecies consumes parts of at least 104 plant species. This subspecies consumes parts of at least 97 plant species. 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. Frequently asked questions international gorilla conservation. Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in congo permits, price. These gorillas can be distinguished by their nose which has a continuous heart shaped ridge around its nostrils, shorter hair, and wider skull. The eastern lowland gorilla gorilla beringei graueri is endangered en, according to the red list of the international union for conservation of nature. Eastern lowland gorilla wikipedia republished wiki 2. Currently, tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors that impact positively the worlds economies, and tourism in the african continent is at its greatest development due to abundance of untouched resources, cultural sites, wildlife, natural beauty and others that are uniquely different from the rest of the world.