Quick answer
Conservation status for gorillas is listed here as Critically Endangered. Threats, population trends, and what protection means in practice.
Key takeaway
Conservation status for gorillas is listed here as Critically Endangered. Threats, population trends, and what protection means in practice.
Current status
Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is recorded in our guides as Critically Endangered. IUCN categories describe extinction risk at the global level and can differ from national listings.
Main threats
Habitat loss, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Population outlook
Where monitoring exists, trends depend on protected-area effectiveness and local enforcement. Fragmented populations need corridors and genetic exchange.
What helps
Support verified conservation programmes, reduce demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism only helps when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
How to read the label
"Endangered" is not the only serious category — Vulnerable and Critically Endangered also signal urgent risk. Domesticated animals are not IUCN-threatened in the same way.
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.
Sources
FAQs
Are Gorillas Endangered?
Conservation status for gorillas is listed here as Critically Endangered. Threats, population trends, and what protection means in practice.
What is the scientific name of the gorilla?
Gorilla gorilla
What do gorillas eat?
Herbivore (mostly)
Where do gorillas live?
Tropical and montane forest
Are gorillas endangered?
Listed here as Critically Endangered. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.