Are gorillas endangered?

Listed here as Critically Endangered. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.

Gorilla: Key Facts & Natural History

Overview

Gorillas are the largest living primates, with dominant males (silverbacks) weighing up to 200 kg (440 lb). They are gentle, highly intelligent herbivores native to the forests of central Africa, living in close-knit family groups. Wild gorillas typically live 35 to 40 years.

Biology

Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is classified as Mammal with conservation status Critically Endangered. Typical weight 70–200 kg (150–440 lb); lifespan around 35–40 years in the wild.

Ecology

Diet: Herbivore (mostly). Habitat: Tropical and montane forest. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures.

People and this species

Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild individuals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.

Intelligence and social life

Gorillas live in stable family groups led by a single dominant male called a silverback, named for the silver hair across his back. They are remarkably intelligent: they use tools, recognize themselves in mirrors, and some captive gorillas have learned hundreds of sign-language gestures. Group members communicate through more than 20 distinct vocalizations.

Diet and strength

Gorillas are mostly herbivores, eating leaves, stems, shoots, fruit, and occasionally insects. An adult can eat up to 18 kg (40 lb) of vegetation a day. Despite their plant-based diet, silverbacks are extraordinarily strong, capable of lifting many times their own body weight, though they rarely use that strength aggressively.

Habitat and range

Gorillas live only in the tropical and montane forests of central Africa, split into western and eastern species. They build a fresh nest of branches and leaves to sleep in each night, on the ground or in trees, and travel through their home range feeding as they go.

Conservation

Both gorilla species are endangered, and the western lowland gorilla is Critically Endangered, threatened by poaching, disease such as Ebola, and habitat loss from logging and mining. Conservation programs, protected parks, and carefully managed gorilla tourism are central to their survival.

Research notes

Figures for gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.

Practical takeaways

If you encounter gorillas in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Critically Endangered) when discussing conservation.