Eastern Lowland Gorilla | Species

Gorilla
Eastern Lowland Gorilla

Gorilla
Eastern Lowland Gorilla

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Overview
Why They Matter
Threats
What WWF is Doing
How You Can Help
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Overview

Status
Endangered
Population
Unknown
Scientific Name
Gorilla beringei graueri
Height
4 to 5 ½ feet tall when standing on two feet
Weight
up to 440 pounds

The eastern lowland gorilla—also known as Grauer’s gorilla—is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies. It is distinguished from other gorillas by its stocky body, large hands and short muzzle. Despite its size, eastern lowland gorillas subsist mainly on fruit and other herbaceous materials, just like other gorilla subspecies.

Years of civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have taken their toll on both the eastern lowland gorilla and the mountain gorilla. The eastern lowland gorilla makes its home in lowland tropical rainforests in the eastern DRC. In the last 50 years, its range has decreased from 8,100 square miles—about the size of the state of Massachusetts— to about 4,600 square miles today. This subspecies may now occupy only 13% of its historical range. There were nearly 17,000 eastern lowland gorillas in the mid-1990s but scientists estimate that the population has declined by more than 50% since then. An accurate accounting of the animals has been impossible for many years because of violence in the region.

Throughout the unrest, the gorillas have been vulnerable to poaching, even in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, home to the largest population of protected eastern lowland gorillas. Rebels and poachers invaded the park and people set up illegal mines. But, with help from WWF and other organizations, park staff are reestablishing control over the land.

50%

Scientists estimate that the population of eastern lowland gorillas has declined by more than 50% since the 1990s when their population numbered 17,000.

Places
Congo Basin
Habitats
Forests

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Why They Matter

A QUICKLY DISAPPEARING SUBSPECIES

The eastern lowland gorilla’s range has declined by at least a quarter over the last 50 years. The last census, in the mid-1990s, estimated that there were only 16,900 of the animals left in the wild, but following more than a decade of habitat destruction and fragmentation and years of civil unrest, the eastern lowland gorilla’s population may have declined by half or more.

Threats

Population Unknown
Extinction Risk Endangered
1. EX
  Extinct
  
  No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died
2. EW
  Extinct in the Wild
  
  Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population
3. CR
  Critically Endangered
  
  Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild
4. EN
  Endangered
  
  Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
5. VU
  Vulnerable
  
  Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
6. NT
  Near Threatened
  
  Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future
7. LC
  Least Concern
  
  Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened

CIVIL UNREST

Years of political instability and conflict have left the Congolese network of national parks in a state of neglect. Humans have been able to encroach upon Kahuzi-Biega National Park to hunt gorillas and to set up illegal mines. In addition, military activity and the presence of heavy weaponry have contributed to unrest in the region that has made conservation efforts difficult.

HABITAT LOSS AND FRAGMENTATION

As humans have moved from high-density regions in the East into the gorilla’s territory, they have destroyed and fragmented much of the animal’s forest habitat to make room for farming and livestock. Only a small portion of the gorilla’s range lies in protected areas such as Kahuzi-Biega National Park. But even there, park rangers often find it difficult to patrol the borders and protect the gorillas.

MINING

Illegal mining for tin, gold, diamond and, especially, coltan—an alloy used in cell phones—is widespread throughout the eastern lowland gorilla’s range. This mining has helped to fuel the civil unrest in the region and attracted migrants who hunt the animals for bushmeat, medicine and the capture and trade of infant gorillas.

What WWF Is Doing

PROTECTING A NATIONAL PARK

During the last civil war in the DRC, parts of Kahuzi-Biega National Park were taken over by rebels. WWF and other partner groups have helped park staff to reestablish control over the park by rehabilitating patrol posts, training guards in antipoaching and law enforcement techniques and working with local contacts to clarify park boundaries.

MONITORING GORILLAS

The monitoring of gorillas even in protected areas was very difficult during the years of civil unrest. WWF has since trained Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN) staff to carry out surveys of eastern lowland gorillas and to monitor gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, recording details about their biology, location and habitat.

EXPANDING PROTECTED AREAS

WWF works to create another protected area for the eastern lowland gorilla in the Itombwe Forest, south of Kahuzi-Biega National Park. We are conducting socio-economic studies and engaging with local villages and traditional authorities to determine the best way to proceed. WWF will work with the local people, park authorities and the Congolese government to clearly identify the protected area and assess its legal status.

Experts

Matthew Lewis Senior Program Officer, African Species, Species Conservation Program

How You Can Help

Take Action

Tell your members of Congress and President Obama to reject budget proposals that would slash funding for endangered species and tropical forests, clean air and water, and efforts to confront climate change.