Page 49 - World of Animals - Issue #33

CONSERVING

GORILLAS

Some of our closest animal
relatives are facing a
struggle for survival. Gorillas

are critically endangered,

and without our help these
amazing great apes could
be lost forever

Words Ella Carter

With their intriguingly human-like features, intelligent eyes
and individual personalities, these huge apes’ numbers
are dwindling. Hunting and poaching, habitat degradation
and also the spread of diseases (most notably Ebola) are
to blame, and conservation efforts are required in order to
bolster the numbers of these amazing primates.
Gorillas play a crucial role in the ecosystem. By feasting
on shoots, stems, leaves and fruit of the trees that make
up their rainforest home, the gorillas help to disperse
seeds and prolong the life of the tropical woodland.
In fact, in areas where gorilla populations are severely

depleted, specific tree species that are known favourites
of the great apes have become scarce. These apes are
also known to feast on small animals and insects.
Living in close familial units, gorillas spend most of their
day foraging for food – adult gorillas can eat up to 30
kilograms (66 pounds) per day! A gorilla family is headed
up by a dominant alpha male, known as the silverback.
The patch of silver on his back is the mark of a mature
male. The silverback leads his group of females, juveniles
and infants, and the young males stay with the family until
they are mature – usually at around 12 years old. They will
then break away from the group and move off to start
their own family.

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