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.

See Baby Nayembi Crawl Around Her Exhibit
Western lowland gorilla Nayembi, who was injured in February, is thriving under 24-hour care by Lincoln Park Zoo animal care staff and will soon be reunited with her troop. As you can see, the 6-month-old gorilla is trying new foods, exploring her enclosure, and getting lessons in how to act like an ape.

Baby Gorilla Bonding
Mom Bana snuggles with baby gorilla Patty, born October 11.

Good News for Nayembi President and CEO Kevin Bell shares how baby gorilla Nayembi continues to grow--and heal--behind the scenes at Regenstein Center for African Apes. As you can see, the 6-month-old gorilla is trying new foods, exploring her enclosure and getting lessons in how to act like an ape.

Type Casting A blood-type database for great apes now provides animal care givers and vets worldwide with a valuable resource, thanks to a compassionate response to the loss of a gorilla at the zoo in 2005.

An Array of Apes Enjoy these portraits of the zoo’s apes, from babies to bachelors.

Happy Valentine’s Day! We celebrate the cute and cuddly aspect of the holiday by looking back at photos from a year of new arrivals, including baby takins, zebras, birds and gorillas.

Two Gorilla Babies, Two Very Different Moms Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy offers a gorilla baby update and breaks down the different parenting styles of moms Bana and Rollie.

Gorilla Matchmaking and Family Planning How did zoo matchmakers choose the pairings that produced two gorilla babies at Regenstein Center for African Apes? Scientist Sarah Long shares the details

Support the Troop with a Baby Gorilla ADOPT Looking for a fun way to support the zoo’s newest baby—and all our amazing animals? Take home a baby gorilla ADOPT today!

A Second Gorilla Baby President and CEO Kevin Bell shares the season’s second baby gorilla at Regenstein Center for African Apes!

It's a Girl! President and CEO Kevin Bell shares more about baby gorilla Patty.

Learning How to Be a Gorilla from Mom The arrival of baby gorilla Patty spurs Fisher Center Director Steve Ross to share how primate families teach little ones how to live like adults.

Welcoming a Gorilla Baby President and CEO Kevin Bell shares the zoo’s baby gorilla born October 11.

Two Bachelors and a Baby President and CEO Kevin Bells shares a baby titi monkey and the first sign of bachelor gorillas at Regenstein Center for African Apes.

Sweet Home Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo's animals were offered Chicago-style enrichment to celebrate the city's 175th birthday in July 2012. See how chimpanzees, gorillas, meerkats and more reacted to the skyline-sized fun.

Gorilla Gardens Slideshow Lincoln Park Zoo’s gardeners worked hard to replant one of the outdoor gorilla exhibits at Regenstein Center for African Apes in spring 2012. Their work was rewarded as the great apes headed outside for edible treats.