What is the Largest Gorilla Species? A gorilla is a gentle giant that displays many human-like traits and emotions, such as sadness and happiness. They are widely known to be the closest cousins to humans, sharing 98.3% of their genetic code with us.
Gorillas have broad chests and shoulders, small eyes, and fearless faces. They are also stocky animals.
There are basically two species of gorillas, both living in equatorial Africa and separated by the 560-mile Congo Basin forest: the Eastern and Western gorillas.
Gorillas generally live in families or groups, each headed by a dominant silverback, which is an adult male. The relationship between the silverback and his females establishes the basis of life in the group, thereby determining the duration of his stay in power and leadership.
Females give birth to just one baby every 4-6 years once they are ready to breed, and they have a total of only 3-4 infants throughout their entire lifetime.
Due to threats to gorillas over the past decades, their population has significantly reduced, making them highly endangered. Since their birth rates are low, it is difficult for gorillas to recover from population decline over time.
However, the species of Eastern Gorillas, specifically the Eastern lowland gorillas, have seen an increase in numbers over time.
This is due to serious conservation efforts by various organizations, such as the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, a coalition of three conservation organizations: Fauna & Flora International, WWF, and Conservation International.
These organizations have put up a spirited fight to ensure the long-term survival and breeding of gorillas. Governments have also worked hand in hand to ensure gorilla safety.
The Eastern lowland gorilla, also known as Grauer’s gorilla, is the largest of all four gorilla subspecies and a close cousin to the mountain gorillas, another great ape species.
They are sociable and live in families of up to 30 individuals, led by a dominant silverback and several adult females with infants.
In larger families, blackbacks are also tolerated. These gentle giants live in harmony among themselves and with other gorilla families, and they only feel threatened in rare situations.
Eastern lowland gorillas spend most of their time on the ground.
What Eastern Lowland Gorillas Feed On
- Herbs
- Leaves
- Bark
- Vines
- Bamboo
- Fruits
- Insects
How Many Eastern Lowland Gorillas Are Left?
There is an estimated population of over 6,800 individuals alive today.
However, they are still greatly endangered due to human activities such as hunting for meat, poaching, deforestation, encroachment, and diseases that continue to threaten their survival.
In conclusion, more measures should be put in place and implemented to ensure the protection of the remaining endangered gorilla species.