Western lowland gorilla

Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea

The gorilla is listed as critically endangered, and commercial trade of this species is prohibited by international law. The principal causes of population decline are habitat destruction and hunting.

Poachers prize adult males and disrupt troops by killing leaders. Lincoln Park Zoo participates in the Gorilla Species Survival Plan® and is world famous for its success in breeding western lowland gorillas.

Tropical secondary forest: the herbs, shrubs and vines that make up its diet grow best where the open canopy allows plenty of light to reach the forest floor.

Western lowland gorillas are herbivorous, feeding mainly on leaves and stems, although they never strips one site completely. The western subspecies takes a higher proportion of fruit—a more limited resource—which appears to limit troop size to 5–10 individuals.

Troops consist of a dominant silverback plus a harem of females with their young, including subadult males. Lone males occur, and troop ranges can overlap.

The species is diurnal (active during the day) and mainly terrestrial. Gorillas walk on the soles of rear feet and the knuckles of forelimbs. They will build nests on the ground or in trees (especially young gorillas).

Mating is non-seasonal, with a single young born after a 9-month gestation period. Infants weigh 4–5 pounds. They cling to dam within a few days of birth, crawl at about nine weeks, walk at about five months and are weaned at 2–3 years. Females mature at 7–8 years, males later. Females leave these troop to join other troops or lone males; adult males leave without conflict.

Gorilla Gardens Slideshow Lincoln Park Zoo’s gardeners worked hard to replant one of the outdoor gorilla exhibits at Regenstein Center for African Apes this spring. Their work was rewarded as the great apes headed outside to gather some edible treats.

Celebrating Change Dozens of guests and 434 pounds of “cake” made for a silverback-sized farewell party as guests said goodbye to gorillas JoJo, Tabibu and Makari at Regenstein Center for African Apes.