(Scientific name: Gorilla beringei beringei)
Scientific name: Gorilla beringei graueri
Eastern Lowland Gorillas
The eastern lowland gorilla, also known as the Grauer's gorilla is subspecies of eastern gorilla which are found only in the mountainous forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Eastern lowland gorillas are classed as Critically-Endangered.
The largest of the four-gorilla subspecies, they are similar to mountain gorillas but can be distinguished by their shorter fur, narrower faces and rounder nostrils.
Eastern lowland gorillas are largely herbivorous but have been observed eating ants and other insects. They live in family groups led by the dominant male silverback. During the day they spend their time feeding and resting and then build new nests to sleep in every night.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Population
There are fewer than 6,000 eastern lowland gorillas left in the wild.
Eastern lowland gorillas are classed as Critically Endangered on IUCN’s Red List. It is estimated that eastern lowland gorilla populations have fallen by more than 50% since the 1990s when their population numbered 17,000.
In 1996 a small population of gorillas was found living at Mount Tshiaberimu, a small isolated annex in the northern region of the Virunga National Park. The population was facing imminent extinction, threatened by activities such as mining, hunting and the collection of firewood. In rapid decline and ignored by many, The Gorilla Organization pledged to protect this tiny group of gorillas and their habitat.
The Mt Tshiaberimu gorillas are morphologically different to the Eastern Lowland gorillas found elsewhere and may yet be reclassified as a distinct subspecies, Gorilla beringei.
Eastern Lowland gorilla habitat and homeland
Eastern lowland gorillas are only found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The eastern lowland gorilla makes its home in lowland tropical rainforests in eastern DRC. However, it is estimated that the Eastern lowland gorilla habitat has decreased dramatically over the past 50 years, and the subspecies now only occupies approximately 13% of its historic range.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DRC
Kasese Region, DRC
Maiko National Park, DRC
Itombwe Forest, DRC
North Kivu, DRC
Eastern Lowland gorilla threats
Eastern lowland gorillas are only found in DRC, a country experiencing insecurity, widespread poverty and continued conflict.
Like mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas are threatened by deforestation. The illegal trade in charcoal and mining in DRC, combined with a lack of legal protection for their habitat, are putting even greater pressure on the gorillas.
Read more about the gorilla subspecies here:
Mountain gorilla
Cross river gorilla
(Scientific name: Gorilla gorilla diehli)
Western lowland gorilla
(Scientific name: Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
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