Western Lowland Gorilla

Gorilla gorilla gorilla

The gorilla is the largest living primate. A gorilla must spend most of its day eating plants to maintain its large size. Despite its massive size and ferocious reputation, the gorilla is actually a peaceful and social animal. Gorillas and humans are close relatives, and share many things in common. They are very intelligent, have emotions and personalities, and live in family groups.

A troop of up to 20 gorillas is led and defended by a dominant male called a silverback.
A male gorilla has the strength of up to eight men.
Chest-beating is one way a gorilla shows that it’s excited.
Gorillas and humans have the same number of hairs on their bodies.

The Zoo is teaming up with other zoos around the world to celebrate gorillas during 2009, which has been declared the Year of the Gorilla.

Fact File

Height: 5 to 6 ft
Weight: Male - Up to 400 lbs,
Lifespan: Up to 35 yrs in the wild
Habitat: Tropical forest
Diet: Fruits, leaves, and small invertebrates
Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Endangered)

Gorillas In Action

Gorillas at the Zoo

Knuckle-walking:

Gorillas walk on the knuckles of their hands and the soles of their feet.

Range:

Central Africa

Giving Gorillas a Chance

The Zoo supports the Mbeli Bai study located in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo. Observations of western lowland gorillas have provided unique insights into their social organization and dynamics. Such information is important to determining the best course of action for gorilla conservation.

Meet a Zookeeper

Meet our gorillas and their zookeepers at Gorilla World at 11:00am (Monday through Wednesday) and 1:30pm (Saturday and Sunday) through the end of October (weather permitting).

Wild Research

Conduct your own investigations at the Wild Research Gorillas station to find out whether gorillas have friends, and more.

Recycle Old Cell Phones

Drop off your old cell phone at the Zoo. Recycling it will reduce mining for coltan, an ore used in cell phones, in gorilla habitat and raise money for the Zoo’s Conservation Fund. Learn more about cell phone recycling and its benefits to African gorilla populations.