Page 26 - World of Animals - Issue #41

Endangered
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Grauer’s gorilla
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Formerly known as the eastern lowland
GRAUER’S GORILLA
Gorilla beringei graueri gorilla, the Grauer’s gorilla has hit the
Class Mammalia
headlines recently with news of its
rapid decline spreading across the
Territory Democratic Republic globe. The world’s largest gorilla lost
of Congo
Diet Herbs, leaves, bark, 77 per cent of its entire population in

flowers and vines
Lifespan 35-40 years just one generation, and it’s predicted
Adult weight 204-250kg
(450-551lb) that if the rate of decline continues,
Conservation Status
they will be wiped out within two to

five years. Scientists have only just
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
been able to confirm the numbers

of gorillas left - and the scale of the problem is now clear.
In September 2016, the IUCN upgraded their listing to
‘Critically Endangered’, meaning it won’t be easy to bring
this charismatic species back from the brink of extinction.

The causes of

endangerment

Habitat loss
Land is being converted at an alarming rate. Large
expanses of forest are being felled for agricultural use,
with the undergrowth slashed and burned to raise cattle.
There is also a booming mining trade. As a result, the
gorillas are increasingly left with little space to live and
raise their young.
Illegal hunting

If caught, the world’s largest gorilla species can make
for a substantial meal, and miners in the DRC are said to
take full advantage. Hunting the Grauer’s gorilla is illegal,

but poaching is notoriously difficult for law enforcement
to prevent, particularly in the thick of the jungle, where
hunters are hidden from view and armed with guns.
Confl ict and civil unrest
Maiko and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks are the last
strongholds of these gentle giant apes, but they are under
constant threat from mining and civil unrest, and many
rangers have been killed while fighting to protect the

parks. However, it’s not all doom and gloom; despite years
of civil war, the situation is slowly improving.
What you can do “If this rate of decline
Fauna & Flora International has an action plan to protect the Grauer’s gorilla, continues, they will be wiped

and is supporting the work of community managed reserves. To find out more

about their work and how you can help, visit their website: out in two to five years”
WWW.FAUNA-FLORA.ORG
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