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The '''Eastern lowland gorilla''' (''Gorilla beringei graueri'') also known as the '''Grauer's gorilla''' is a subspecies of [[eastern gorilla]] endemic to the mountainous forests of eastern [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. The Eastern Lowland Gorilla is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies. Important populations of this gorilla live within the [[Kahuzi-Biéga National Park|Kahuzi-Biega]] and [[Maiko National Park]]s and their adjacent forests, the Tayna Gorilla Reserve, the Usala forest and on the Itombwe Massif. |
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This subspecies is considerably larger and more [[Robustness (morphology)|robust]] in appearance{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} than the [[western lowland gorilla]] (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla''), having a longer body, longer teeth, a stronger jaw and a broader torso. They have jet black coats like the [[mountain gorilla]] (''Gorilla beringei beringei''), although the hair is shorter on the head and body. The male's coat, like that of other gorillas, turns [[Silverback|silver at the back]] as the animal matures. There are many more western lowland gorillas than the eastern variety; compared to a possible total of over 100,000 western lowland gorillas, there are only about 4,000 eastern lowland gorillas in the wild, and only 1 female in captivity at the [[Antwerp Zoo]] in [[Belgium]].<ref name="Prince-Hughes66">{{cite book |title= Songs of the Gorilla Nation|last= Prince-Hughes|first= Dawn|authorlink= Dawn Prince-Hughes|coauthors= |year= 1987|publisher= Harmony|location= |isbn=1-4000-5058-8|page= 66|pages= |url= }}</ref> |
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==Habitat and ecology== |
==Habitat and ecology== |
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Eastern lowland gorillas are predominantly [[herbivore|herbivorous]], eating mostly leaves. They are known to eat only a few leaves from a single plant, allowing the plant to regrow. They will also eat fruit, seeds, [[bamboo]] shoots, and insects. Gorillas also engage in [[coprophagia]]; they eat their own [[feces]], as well as the feces of other gorillas.{{citation needed|date=February 2012}} Similar behavior has also been observed among chimpanzees. Such behavior may serve to improve absorption of vitamins or of nutritive elements made available from the re-ingestion of seeds.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} |
Eastern lowland gorillas are predominantly [[herbivore|herbivorous]], eating mostly leaves. They live in lowland rainforests in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, (WWF). They are known to eat only a few leaves from a single plant, allowing the plant to regrow. They will also eat fruit, seeds, [[bamboo]] shoots, and insects. Gorillas also engage in [[coprophagia]]; they eat their own [[feces]], as well as the feces of other gorillas.{{citation needed|date=February 2012}} Similar behavior has also been observed among chimpanzees. Such behavior may serve to improve absorption of vitamins or of nutritive elements made available from the re-ingestion of seeds.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} |
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==Conservation and threats== |
==Conservation and threats== |
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The eastern lowland gorilla is threatened primarily from illegal hunting for [[bushmeat]] and the [[illegal pet trade]]. This primate is also threatened as a result of logging and mining of coltan. ('''Add link to coltan'''). Widespread artisanal mining activities (often controlled by rebel militias) are the major source of hunting pressure for gorillas and other wildlife. The eastern lowland gorilla is also suffering a range reduction in some areas due to an expanding human population. Furthermore, the eastern lowland gorilla is threatened by the presence of long term civil conflict and insecurity in eastern DRC. |
The eastern lowland gorilla is threatened primarily from illegal hunting for [[bushmeat]] and the [[illegal pet trade]]. This primate is also threatened as a result of logging and mining of coltan. ('''Add link to coltan'''). Widespread artisanal mining activities (often controlled by rebel militias) are the major source of hunting pressure for gorillas and other wildlife. The eastern lowland gorilla is also suffering a range reduction in some areas due to an expanding human population. Furthermore, the eastern lowland gorilla is threatened by the presence of long term civil conflict and insecurity in eastern DRC. |
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Threats to the Eastern Lowland Gorilla's survival include: logging, mining, civil unrest and hunting, (WWF). |
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Civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in a decline in Eastern Lowland Gorillas as well as mountain gorillas in this region. The region inhabited by Eastern Lowland Gorilla has decreased from 8,100 square miles to 4,600 square miles in the past 50 years, (WWF). This primate species now occupies only 13% of its historical area. Violence in the region has made research difficult, however, scientists have estimated that the population has decreased by more than 50% since the mid-1990's, (WWF). In the mid-1990's, the population was recorded to nearly 17,000 gorillas. |
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[[File:Gorilla beringei graueri01.jpg|thumb|upright|Male eastern lowland gorilla]] |
[[File:Gorilla beringei graueri01.jpg|thumb|upright|Male eastern lowland gorilla]] |
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Revision as of 15:07, 27 September 2012
The Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) also known as the Grauer's gorilla is a subspecies of eastern gorilla endemic to the mountainous forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Eastern Lowland Gorilla is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies. Important populations of this gorilla live within the Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko National Parks and their adjacent forests, the Tayna Gorilla Reserve, the Usala forest and on the Itombwe Massif.
This subspecies is considerably larger and more robust in appearance[citation needed] than the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), having a longer body, longer teeth, a stronger jaw and a broader torso. They have jet black coats like the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei), although the hair is shorter on the head and body. The male's coat, like that of other gorillas, turns silver at the back as the animal matures. There are many more western lowland gorillas than the eastern variety; compared to a possible total of over 100,000 western lowland gorillas, there are only about 4,000 eastern lowland gorillas in the wild, and only 1 female in captivity at the Antwerp Zoo in Belgium.[1]
Habitat and ecology
Eastern lowland gorillas are predominantly herbivorous, eating mostly leaves. They live in lowland rainforests in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, (WWF). They are known to eat only a few leaves from a single plant, allowing the plant to regrow. They will also eat fruit, seeds, bamboo shoots, and insects. Gorillas also engage in coprophagia; they eat their own feces, as well as the feces of other gorillas.[citation needed] Similar behavior has also been observed among chimpanzees. Such behavior may serve to improve absorption of vitamins or of nutritive elements made available from the re-ingestion of seeds.[citation needed]
Conservation and threats
The eastern lowland gorilla is threatened primarily from illegal hunting for bushmeat and the illegal pet trade. This primate is also threatened as a result of logging and mining of coltan. (Add link to coltan). Widespread artisanal mining activities (often controlled by rebel militias) are the major source of hunting pressure for gorillas and other wildlife. The eastern lowland gorilla is also suffering a range reduction in some areas due to an expanding human population. Furthermore, the eastern lowland gorilla is threatened by the presence of long term civil conflict and insecurity in eastern DRC.
Threats to the Eastern Lowland Gorilla's survival include: logging, mining, civil unrest and hunting, (WWF). Civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in a decline in Eastern Lowland Gorillas as well as mountain gorillas in this region. The region inhabited by Eastern Lowland Gorilla has decreased from 8,100 square miles to 4,600 square miles in the past 50 years, (WWF). This primate species now occupies only 13% of its historical area. Violence in the region has made research difficult, however, scientists have estimated that the population has decreased by more than 50% since the mid-1990's, (WWF). In the mid-1990's, the population was recorded to nearly 17,000 gorillas.
- ^ Prince-Hughes, Dawn (1987). Songs of the Gorilla Nation. Harmony. p. 66. ISBN 1-4000-5058-8.
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