Western lowland gorilla
First came the timber companies. Then the hunters.
| Common Name |
Western lowland gorilla; |
|
| Scientific Name | Gorilla gorilla gorilla | |
| Habitat | Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests | |
| Location | Central Africa | |
| Status | ||
| Population | Possibly 100,000 individuals |
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Background
This information has been reviewed by Chloé Cipolletta, Technical Advisor, African Great Apes Programme, WWF-International.
Found in the vast lowland forests of central Africa, the western lowland gorilla is by far the most widespread and numerous of all gorillas.
However, this subspecies of western gorilla is coming under threat as timber companies move into the region. As forests are opened up by the timber companies, hunters move in. The commercial trade in bushmeat is now an added threat to these gorillas and other forest fauna. Ebola hemorrhagic fever has also emerged as a new threat.
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionThe western lowland gorilla has a brownish-grey coat with a red or auburn crest. Mature males have a silvery white saddle extending from the back to the rump and thighs. In this subspecies, the brow ridge is more pronounced, and ears appear small in relation to the heads. Compared to other gorilla subspecies, the western lowland gorilla also has a wider skull.
Size
Western lowland gorillas are overall smaller and lighter than the other gorillas. There is also a more pronounced difference between males and females. Females are almost half the size of silverbacks.
Colour
The hair of western lowland gorillas is short, and of grayish or brownish colour. The adult male has a patch of whitish hair that extends onto the thighs, grading into the black body color.
Habitat
HabitatTropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Range States
Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Angola (Cabinda)
Geographical Location
Central Africa
Ecological Region
Congolian Coastal Forests, Western Congo Basin Moist Forests