No.0148In residence
Shabani
シャバーニ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- October 20, 1996
CR— Critically Endangered
Western Lowland Gorillaニシローランドゴリラ
Gorilla gorillaCR— Critically Endangered
The western lowland gorilla is the smallest and most widespread gorilla subspecies, inhabiting lowland tropical forests across Central Africa from Cameroon to the Republic of Congo. It lives in family groups led by a mature male known as a silverback, feeding mainly on fruit, leaves, and bark. Despite a global population estimated around 125,000, the IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered because of disease outbreaks, poaching, and habitat loss.
Western Lowland Gorilla (reference photo)
Species Data
- Classification
- Primates / Hominidae Source
- Size
- Males about 1.67 m standing / females about 1.5 m
- Weight
- Males average about 140 kg / females about 90 kg
- Lifespan
- Wild: usually 35–40 years / captive: records of over 50 years
- Diet
- Herbivore Herbivorous, feeding mainly on roots, shoots, fruit, wild celery, bark, and fruit pulp; the balance of fruit and leaves shifts with the season
- Activity
- Diurnal; travels 3–5 km a day while foraging
- Distribution
- The western lowland gorilla inhabits montane and lowland tropical forests across Central Africa, including Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Cabinda (Angola). Source
- Sources
- ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Did You Know?
- Wild individuals have been observed using tools, such as branches for measuring water depth or extracting ants. Source
- Mature males develop a patch of silvery-grey hair across the back and rump, earning the nickname "silverback," and typically lead the group. Source
- An Ebola outbreak in 2003–2004 devastated some populations, killing roughly two-thirds of gorillas in affected areas. Source
Where to See This Species
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 7
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937
No.0149In residence
Kiyomasa
キヨマサ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- November 1, 2012
CR— Critically Endangered
Kyoto City ZooKyotoOpened in 1903
No.0150In residence
Momotaro
モモタロウ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- July 3, 2000
CR— Critically Endangered
No.0151In residence
Genki
ゲンキ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Female
- Born
- June 24, 1986
CR— Critically Endangered
No.0152In residence
Kintaro
キンタロウ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- December 19, 2018
CR— Critically Endangered
No.0153In residence
Santaro
サンタロウ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- November 24, 2025
CR— Critically Endangered
Chiba Zoological ParkChibaOpened in 1985
No.0154In residence
Momoka
モモカ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Female
- Born
- April 24, 2013
CR— Critically Endangered
Ueno ZooTokyoOpened in 1882
No.0155In residence
Gentaro
ゲンタロウ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- December 21, 2011
CR— Critically Endangered
No.0156In residence
Ani
アニー
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Female
- Born
- June 2, 2013
CR— Critically Endangered
No.0157In residence
Haoko
ハオコ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- August 21, 1993
CR— Critically Endangered
No.0158In residence
Komomo
コモモ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Female
- Born
- November 14, 2009
CR— Critically Endangered
No.0159In residence
Riki
リキ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- October 9, 2017
CR— Critically Endangered
No.0160In residence
Sumomo
スモモ
Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla
- Sex
- Female
- Born
- May 31, 2022
CR— Critically Endangered
Asahiyama ZooHokkaidoOpened in 1967
Sapporoshimaruyama DoubutsuenHokkaidoOpened in 1951
Hamamatsu Zoological GardensShizuokaOpened in 1950
- 【東山動植物園公式】ある日のネネ～ネネの近況10～《 ニシローランドゴリラ ゴリラ 》
- 【東山動植物園公式】久しぶりのネネ～ネネの近況9～《 ニシローランドゴリラ ゴリラ 》
- 【東山動植物園公式】休園日のキヨマサ《 ニシローランドゴリラ ゴリラ 》
Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
Critically Endangered (CR)
Sources
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FAQ
- Why is the western lowland gorilla critically endangered despite having a large population?
- Even with an estimated 125,000 individuals remaining, the population has suffered severe losses from Ebola outbreaks, commercial bushmeat hunting, and habitat destruction, all of which continue to threaten its long-term survival. Source
- What is a silverback?
- A silverback is a mature male gorilla that has developed a patch of silvery-grey hair on its back, a sign of maturity, and typically serves as the leader of its family group. Source
- What do western lowland gorillas eat?
- They are primarily herbivorous, eating roots, shoots, fruit, wild celery, and tree bark, with the balance between fruit and leafy vegetation shifting seasonally. Source
- How many operating facilities are registered here?
- Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 7 Source
Books & gear
Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org