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Eastern Lowland Gorilla
Victim of war
Common Name: Eastern lowland gorilla, Grauer's gorilla; Gorille oriental de la plaine, gorille de Grauer (Fr); Gorila (Sp)
Scientific Name: Gorilla beringei graueri
Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Location: Central Africa
Population: Unknown; may have reached 17,000 at one time
Background
© WWF - Canon / Chris Martin BAHR
A subspecies of eastern gorilla, the eastern lowland gorilla (or Grauer's gorilla) is found only in the rainforests of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Its stronghold is Kahuzi Biega National Park, where it is threatened by bushmeat hunters and human encroachment. Civil conflict and political instability have left the Congolese National Parks network in a state of dereliction, hampering the effective conservation of this Endangered gorilla subspecies.
WWF on the ground
WWF's continent-wide African Great Apes Program aims to ensure the long-term survival of the great apes. WWF is also exploring ways to work with governments, local communities, and timber companies to combat the commercial trade in bushmeat. Through WWF's trade monitoring arm, TRAFFIC, we are working to stop the international trade in meat from protected species such as great apes.
Physical Description
The eastern lowland gorilla is the largest of the gorilla subspecies. Its hair and teeth are shorter than the mountain gorilla's, and its arms are longer.
This impressive animal is identified by a stocky body, large hands and a short muzzle. Unusually, the gorilla's thumbs are larger than the fingers. The face, ears, hands, and feet are bare, and the chest in old males lacks hair.
Habitat
Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Biogeographic realm
Afrotropical
Range States
Democratic Republic of Congo
Geographical Location
Central Africa
Ecological Region
Northeastern Congo Basin Moist Forests
Danger Watch
A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More
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Extinct
No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
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Extinct in the Wild
Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population.
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Critically Endangered
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Endangered
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Vulnerable
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Near Threatened
Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
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Least Concern
Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endagnered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened
Related Information
Species News and Updates
WWF Experts
Dr. Richard Carroll
Managing Director
Congo Basin
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