GITNUXREPORT 2026

Gorilla Statistics

A blog post details the striking size, diverse habitats, and fragile conservation status of gorillas.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Silverback gorillas lead troops of 5-30 individuals, with females and offspring forming the core

Statistic 2

Gorilla troops are multi-male in some lowland groups but typically one-male units in mountains

Statistic 3

Chest-beating displays by silverbacks last 10-30 seconds, serving as territorial warnings

Statistic 4

Gorillas spend 40-50% of day foraging, 30% resting, 15% traveling, 5% social interactions

Statistic 5

Females transfer between groups at adolescence, dispersing to avoid inbreeding

Statistic 6

Silverbacks protect the group from predators like leopards, charging intruders

Statistic 7

Gorillas groom each other for social bonding, spending up to 10% of time on it

Statistic 8

Inter-group encounters involve displays but rarely lethal fights

Statistic 9

Unweaned infants stay within 1-2 m of mothers, weaning at 3-4 years

Statistic 10

Gorillas use over 20 distinct vocalizations, including grunts, hoots, and screams

Statistic 11

Bachelor males form all-male groups of 2-12 before acquiring females

Statistic 12

Silverbacks decide daily travel direction based on food patch knowledge

Statistic 13

Play behavior peaks in juveniles, involving wrestling and chasing for skill development

Statistic 14

Gorillas show deference to silverbacks via submissive barks and ground-beating

Statistic 15

Troop fission occurs when groups exceed 30 members, splitting peacefully

Statistic 16

Gorillas cache tools rarely but use sticks to test water depth

Statistic 17

Mutual embraces reinforce bonds between silverback and females

Statistic 18

Adolescents test dominance via mock charges, establishing hierarchies

Statistic 19

Gorillas recognize kin through olfactory cues and long-term memory

Statistic 20

Nightly nesting: each gorilla builds individual nest from branches, lasting one night

Statistic 21

Silverbacks cache infants during predator threats, a protective behavior

Statistic 22

Communication includes visual displays like arm swings and branch-breaking

Statistic 23

Female coalitions challenge silverbacks in multi-male groups rarely

Statistic 24

Gorillas travel 300-2,000 m daily depending on fruit availability

Statistic 25

Tool use observed in 1-5% of wild gorillas for termite fishing or nut cracking

Statistic 26

Adult gorillas consume 18-25 kg of vegetation per day, mostly leaves and stems

Statistic 27

Western lowland gorillas eat over 200 plant species, favoring fruits like Aframomum when available

Statistic 28

Mountain gorillas derive 85% diet from herbaceous foliage, eating 26 kg daily

Statistic 29

Gorillas selectively feed on high-protein leaves, processing via hindgut fermentation

Statistic 30

Fruit comprises 15-25% of lowland gorilla diet, peaking in dry season

Statistic 31

Gorillas consume bark, pith, and flowers opportunistically, up to 10% of intake

Statistic 32

Daily sodium needs met by licking soil at geophagy sites, 10-20 times/month

Statistic 33

Insects make up <1% of diet but provide protein; ants/termites eaten by probing

Statistic 34

Gorillas prefer plants with low fiber (<25% dry matter) for efficient digestion

Statistic 35

Feeding bouts last 1-3 hours, interspersed with rumination-like processing

Statistic 36

Mountain gorillas strip Galium leaves at rates of 1 kg/min during peak feeding

Statistic 37

Western gorillas track fruit phenology, traveling farther for Dialium fruits

Statistic 38

Gorillas avoid toxic plants with alkaloids, detecting via taste/smell

Statistic 39

Dry season diet shifts to 90% leaves/pith, reducing fruit to <5%

Statistic 40

Gorillas process cellulose with gut microbes producing short-chain fatty acids

Statistic 41

Favorite foods include wild celery (Apium spp.) for hydration and minerals

Statistic 42

Gorillas fell small trees (up to 10 cm dbh) to access foliage

Statistic 43

Energy intake ~15,000-20,000 kJ/day from folivorous diet

Statistic 44

Gorillas drink water rarely, getting moisture from vegetation >90%

Statistic 45

Seasonal fallback foods: bark of Scorodophloeus zenkeri in low fruit periods

Statistic 46

Gorillas eat fungi and decaying wood for micronutrients occasionally

Statistic 47

Digestive transit time 30-50 hours, allowing fermentation of 50% fiber

Statistic 48

Silverbacks eat first in hierarchy, influencing group nutrition

Statistic 49

Gorillas use leaves as sponges to drink from tree holes, observed in captivity/wild

Statistic 50

Diet diversity highest in frugivorous western gorillas: 120+ species/year

Statistic 51

Mountain gorillas forage in bamboo forests seasonally, eating 20% shoots

Statistic 52

Gorillas selectively browse thistle (Carduus spp.) for tender growth

Statistic 53

Female gorillas with infants forage in safer, lower-risk patches

Statistic 54

Western lowland gorillas inhabit dense rainforests of Central Africa from sea level to 1,300 m altitude

Statistic 55

Mountain gorillas are restricted to high-altitude forests between 2,200-4,300 m in Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC

Statistic 56

Eastern lowland gorillas occupy lowland forests up to 3,000 sq km in DRC's Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Statistic 57

Cross River gorillas live in fragmented forests on Cameroon-Nigeria border, total range <800 sq km

Statistic 58

Grauer's gorillas have a range reduced by 77% since 1994 due to mining and war, now ~7,000 sq km

Statistic 59

Western gorillas prefer secondary forests with dense undergrowth for nesting

Statistic 60

Gorillas migrate seasonally in some areas, moving up to 10-15 km for fruit availability

Statistic 61

The Virunga Volcanoes host ~1,000 mountain gorillas across 5 national parks

Statistic 62

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda shelters ~350 mountain gorillas in 331 sq km

Statistic 63

Gorillas share habitat with elephants and okapis in Congo Basin, influencing forest dynamics

Statistic 64

Cross River gorilla populations number ~250-300 across 11 fragmented sites

Statistic 65

Lowland gorillas nest on the ground nightly, using leaves from specific tree species

Statistic 66

The total gorilla range spans 1.8 million sq km, but only 20% is protected

Statistic 67

Gorillas in Lopé National Park, Gabon, use swamp forests during wet seasons

Statistic 68

Mountain gorilla habitat lost 25% since 1990s due to agriculture and settlements

Statistic 69

Western lowland gorillas range across 6 countries: Cameroon, CAR, DRC, Eq. Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria

Statistic 70

Gorillas avoid human-modified landscapes, preferring primary forest with >70% canopy cover

Statistic 71

Odzala-Kokoua National Park in Republic of Congo hosts largest western lowland gorilla population

Statistic 72

Gorillas in Salonga National Park, DRC, inhabit peat swamp forests unique to the region

Statistic 73

Bili-Uéré reserve has gorilla populations adapted to drier savanna-forest mosaics

Statistic 74

Gorillas' elevational range in Ituri Forest spans 400-1,500 m

Statistic 75

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Congo, protects swamp and terra firme forests for gorillas

Statistic 76

Gorillas use mineral licks (mazuku) in lowland forests for sodium intake

Statistic 77

Dzanga-Sangha reserve in CAR has gorilla densities up to 4/km² in optimal habitats

Statistic 78

Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega NP lost 50% habitat to coltan mining since 2000

Statistic 79

Adult male silverback Western lowland gorillas typically weigh between 140-250 kg, with exceptional individuals reaching up to 270 kg

Statistic 80

Adult female Western lowland gorillas weigh 70-100 kg on average, significantly lighter than males due to sexual dimorphism

Statistic 81

Mountain gorillas have an average body length of 165-175 cm for males excluding the tail

Statistic 82

Eastern lowland gorillas possess canine teeth that can grow up to 5 cm long in adult males

Statistic 83

Gorillas have a sagittal crest on the skull of adult males, which anchors powerful jaw muscles for chewing tough vegetation

Statistic 84

The arm span of an adult male gorilla can reach up to 2.6 meters, nearly twice their body height

Statistic 85

Infant gorillas weigh about 1.4-2 kg at birth, similar to human newborns despite larger adult size

Statistic 86

Gorillas have fingerprints unique to each individual, just like humans, used for identification in research

Statistic 87

The chest circumference of a silverback gorilla can measure up to 1.75 meters, showcasing immense torso musculature

Statistic 88

Female gorillas reach sexual maturity at 10-12 years, males at 15-20 years due to dominance hierarchies

Statistic 89

Cross River gorillas, the rarest subspecies, have shorter hair and lighter pelage compared to other Western gorillas

Statistic 90

Gorillas' opposable thumbs allow precise manipulation of objects, with grip strength up to 6 times that of humans

Statistic 91

Adult male gorillas have prominent sagittal crests rising up to 3-5 cm high on the skull

Statistic 92

The skin on a gorilla's face is typically black or dark gray, turning lighter with age in some individuals

Statistic 93

Gorillas have 32 teeth, including large canines in males for display and combat

Statistic 94

The brain size of gorillas averages 450-500 cubic centimeters, about one-third that of humans

Statistic 95

Gorillas walk with a quadrupedal knuckle-walking gait, with forelimbs 15-20% longer than hindlimbs

Statistic 96

Hair color in lowland gorillas is black, while mountain gorillas have longer, thicker fur adapted to cold

Statistic 97

Adult gorillas can consume up to 30 kg of vegetation daily, supported by a large cecum for fermentation

Statistic 98

The nostril shape in gorillas is parallel and triangular, differing from chimpanzees' outward-facing nostrils

Statistic 99

Silverback gorillas develop white hair on their backs around 12-15 years, signaling maturity

Statistic 100

Gorillas have a prominent brow ridge protruding up to 2.5 cm over the eyes

Statistic 101

The hand of a gorilla has a palm length of about 12-15 cm, with shorter fingers than humans

Statistic 102

Gorillas' canines erupt at around 10 years in males, growing continuously throughout life

Statistic 103

The rib cage of gorillas is barrel-shaped, providing space for a large digestive tract

Statistic 104

Adult gorillas have an average height of 1.65-1.75 m when standing upright

Statistic 105

Gorillas possess ischial callosities like other Old World monkeys, but less prominent

Statistic 106

The tongue of a gorilla is pink and can extend up to 10 cm for grooming

Statistic 107

Gorillas have a body temperature of 38.5°C, similar to humans

Statistic 108

The foot of a gorilla measures 28-30 cm long, adapted for both walking and climbing

Statistic 109

Gestation period for gorillas is 8.5 months (257 days)

Statistic 110

Female gorillas give birth to single offspring every 4-6 years after maturity

Statistic 111

Silverbacks mate with multiple females; infanticide occurs if new male takes over

Statistic 112

Wild gorilla lifespan averages 35-40 years, up to 50 in captivity

Statistic 113

Global wild gorilla population estimated at 316,000-380,000 as of 2018

Statistic 114

Western lowland gorillas classified as Critically Endangered, declined 60% since 1983

Statistic 115

Mountain gorillas number ~1,063 (2021), up from 680 in 2008 due to conservation

Statistic 116

Ebola killed 90% of gorillas in some central African populations 1994-2004

Statistic 117

Cross River gorillas: <300 individuals, Endangered, fragmented into 15 groups

Statistic 118

Poaching for bushmeat and trophies threatens 20% annual gorilla mortality in some areas

Statistic 119

Grauer's (Eastern lowland) gorillas: ~6,800 left, decline 50% since 1994

Statistic 120

Habitat loss from agriculture/palm oil affects 70% of gorilla range

Statistic 121

Inter-birth interval 3.9 years for mountain gorillas post-infanticide prevention

Statistic 122

Captive breeding success >70% in AZA zoos, but low genetic diversity

Statistic 123

Juvenile mortality 40% in first year due to disease/infanticide

Statistic 124

Tourism generates $17M/year for Rwanda/Uganda gorilla conservation

Statistic 125

90% of mountain gorilla population in protected areas with armed guards

Statistic 126

Genetic diversity low in Cross River gorillas (heterozygosity 0.68), inbreeding risk

Statistic 127

Annual population growth 2.3-2.6% for Virunga mountain gorillas since 2005

Statistic 128

Veterinary interventions saved 50+ mountain gorillas from snare injuries 2000-2020

Statistic 129

Bushmeat trade kills ~3,000 great apes/year, including gorillas

Statistic 130

Community conservation benefits 100,000 people near gorilla habitats

Statistic 131

Climate change predicted to reduce gorilla habitat by 94% by 2050 in some models

Statistic 132

Reintroduction programs released 10+ lowland gorillas successfully in Gabon

Statistic 133

Twinning rare in gorillas (<1% births), usually one survives

Statistic 134

Anti-poaching patrols reduced gorilla killings by 66% in Salonga NP

Statistic 135

Female fertility peaks 20-25 years, declines after 35

1/135

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Imagine a creature whose arm span stretches wider than your bed, who builds a new home from branches each night, and whose chest beats out a territorial warning that echoes through the rainforest—this is the world of the gorilla, an animal of astonishing size, intricate social bonds, and quiet intelligence.

Key Takeaways

Adult male silverback Western lowland gorillas typically weigh between 140-250 kg, with exceptional individuals reaching up to 270 kg
Adult female Western lowland gorillas weigh 70-100 kg on average, significantly lighter than males due to sexual dimorphism
Mountain gorillas have an average body length of 165-175 cm for males excluding the tail
Western lowland gorillas inhabit dense rainforests of Central Africa from sea level to 1,300 m altitude
Mountain gorillas are restricted to high-altitude forests between 2,200-4,300 m in Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC
Eastern lowland gorillas occupy lowland forests up to 3,000 sq km in DRC's Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Silverback gorillas lead troops of 5-30 individuals, with females and offspring forming the core
Gorilla troops are multi-male in some lowland groups but typically one-male units in mountains
Chest-beating displays by silverbacks last 10-30 seconds, serving as territorial warnings
Adult gorillas consume 18-25 kg of vegetation per day, mostly leaves and stems
Western lowland gorillas eat over 200 plant species, favoring fruits like Aframomum when available
Mountain gorillas derive 85% diet from herbaceous foliage, eating 26 kg daily
Gestation period for gorillas is 8.5 months (257 days)
Female gorillas give birth to single offspring every 4-6 years after maturity
Silverbacks mate with multiple females; infanticide occurs if new male takes over

A blog post details the striking size, diverse habitats, and fragile conservation status of gorillas.

Behavior and Social Structure

Silverback gorillas lead troops of 5-30 individuals, with females and offspring forming the core
Gorilla troops are multi-male in some lowland groups but typically one-male units in mountains
Chest-beating displays by silverbacks last 10-30 seconds, serving as territorial warnings
Gorillas spend 40-50% of day foraging, 30% resting, 15% traveling, 5% social interactions
Females transfer between groups at adolescence, dispersing to avoid inbreeding
Silverbacks protect the group from predators like leopards, charging intruders
Gorillas groom each other for social bonding, spending up to 10% of time on it
Inter-group encounters involve displays but rarely lethal fights
Unweaned infants stay within 1-2 m of mothers, weaning at 3-4 years
Gorillas use over 20 distinct vocalizations, including grunts, hoots, and screams
Bachelor males form all-male groups of 2-12 before acquiring females
Silverbacks decide daily travel direction based on food patch knowledge
Play behavior peaks in juveniles, involving wrestling and chasing for skill development
Gorillas show deference to silverbacks via submissive barks and ground-beating
Troop fission occurs when groups exceed 30 members, splitting peacefully
Gorillas cache tools rarely but use sticks to test water depth
Mutual embraces reinforce bonds between silverback and females
Adolescents test dominance via mock charges, establishing hierarchies
Gorillas recognize kin through olfactory cues and long-term memory
Nightly nesting: each gorilla builds individual nest from branches, lasting one night
Silverbacks cache infants during predator threats, a protective behavior
Communication includes visual displays like arm swings and branch-breaking
Female coalitions challenge silverbacks in multi-male groups rarely
Gorillas travel 300-2,000 m daily depending on fruit availability
Tool use observed in 1-5% of wild gorillas for termite fishing or nut cracking

Behavior and Social Structure Interpretation

A silverback gorilla's life is a masterclass in imposing yet nuanced leadership, balancing chest-thumping foreign policy with the delicate domestic diplomacy of grooming, play, and strategic nap schedules for his troop.

Diet and Feeding Habits

Adult gorillas consume 18-25 kg of vegetation per day, mostly leaves and stems
Western lowland gorillas eat over 200 plant species, favoring fruits like Aframomum when available
Mountain gorillas derive 85% diet from herbaceous foliage, eating 26 kg daily
Gorillas selectively feed on high-protein leaves, processing via hindgut fermentation
Fruit comprises 15-25% of lowland gorilla diet, peaking in dry season
Gorillas consume bark, pith, and flowers opportunistically, up to 10% of intake
Daily sodium needs met by licking soil at geophagy sites, 10-20 times/month
Insects make up <1% of diet but provide protein; ants/termites eaten by probing
Gorillas prefer plants with low fiber (<25% dry matter) for efficient digestion
Feeding bouts last 1-3 hours, interspersed with rumination-like processing
Mountain gorillas strip Galium leaves at rates of 1 kg/min during peak feeding
Western gorillas track fruit phenology, traveling farther for Dialium fruits
Gorillas avoid toxic plants with alkaloids, detecting via taste/smell
Dry season diet shifts to 90% leaves/pith, reducing fruit to <5%
Gorillas process cellulose with gut microbes producing short-chain fatty acids
Favorite foods include wild celery (Apium spp.) for hydration and minerals
Gorillas fell small trees (up to 10 cm dbh) to access foliage
Energy intake ~15,000-20,000 kJ/day from folivorous diet
Gorillas drink water rarely, getting moisture from vegetation >90%
Seasonal fallback foods: bark of Scorodophloeus zenkeri in low fruit periods
Gorillas eat fungi and decaying wood for micronutrients occasionally
Digestive transit time 30-50 hours, allowing fermentation of 50% fiber
Silverbacks eat first in hierarchy, influencing group nutrition
Gorillas use leaves as sponges to drink from tree holes, observed in captivity/wild
Diet diversity highest in frugivorous western gorillas: 120+ species/year
Mountain gorillas forage in bamboo forests seasonally, eating 20% shoots
Gorillas selectively browse thistle (Carduus spp.) for tender growth
Female gorillas with infants forage in safer, lower-risk patches

Diet and Feeding Habits Interpretation

Gorillas are the ultimate connoisseurs of the salad bar, meticulously curating a high-fiber, low-toxin menu across hundreds of plant species, all while strategically traveling for seasonal fruit, licking dirt for salt, and even felling small trees to get the good leaves, proving that a serious vegetarian diet requires both brute strength and gourmet discernment.

Habitat and Distribution

Western lowland gorillas inhabit dense rainforests of Central Africa from sea level to 1,300 m altitude
Mountain gorillas are restricted to high-altitude forests between 2,200-4,300 m in Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC
Eastern lowland gorillas occupy lowland forests up to 3,000 sq km in DRC's Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Cross River gorillas live in fragmented forests on Cameroon-Nigeria border, total range <800 sq km
Grauer's gorillas have a range reduced by 77% since 1994 due to mining and war, now ~7,000 sq km
Western gorillas prefer secondary forests with dense undergrowth for nesting
Gorillas migrate seasonally in some areas, moving up to 10-15 km for fruit availability
The Virunga Volcanoes host ~1,000 mountain gorillas across 5 national parks
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda shelters ~350 mountain gorillas in 331 sq km
Gorillas share habitat with elephants and okapis in Congo Basin, influencing forest dynamics
Cross River gorilla populations number ~250-300 across 11 fragmented sites
Lowland gorillas nest on the ground nightly, using leaves from specific tree species
The total gorilla range spans 1.8 million sq km, but only 20% is protected
Gorillas in Lopé National Park, Gabon, use swamp forests during wet seasons
Mountain gorilla habitat lost 25% since 1990s due to agriculture and settlements
Western lowland gorillas range across 6 countries: Cameroon, CAR, DRC, Eq. Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria
Gorillas avoid human-modified landscapes, preferring primary forest with >70% canopy cover
Odzala-Kokoua National Park in Republic of Congo hosts largest western lowland gorilla population
Gorillas in Salonga National Park, DRC, inhabit peat swamp forests unique to the region
Bili-Uéré reserve has gorilla populations adapted to drier savanna-forest mosaics
Gorillas' elevational range in Ituri Forest spans 400-1,500 m
Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Congo, protects swamp and terra firme forests for gorillas
Gorillas use mineral licks (mazuku) in lowland forests for sodium intake
Dzanga-Sangha reserve in CAR has gorilla densities up to 4/km² in optimal habitats
Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega NP lost 50% habitat to coltan mining since 2000

Habitat and Distribution Interpretation

It seems gorillas have mastered the art of real estate, but with their prime habitats being variously snatched, squeezed, or shattered by humans, they’re now holding a series of increasingly precarious house parties across a continent where the eviction notices are written in deforestation, war, and mining permits.

Physical Characteristics

Adult male silverback Western lowland gorillas typically weigh between 140-250 kg, with exceptional individuals reaching up to 270 kg
Adult female Western lowland gorillas weigh 70-100 kg on average, significantly lighter than males due to sexual dimorphism
Mountain gorillas have an average body length of 165-175 cm for males excluding the tail
Eastern lowland gorillas possess canine teeth that can grow up to 5 cm long in adult males
Gorillas have a sagittal crest on the skull of adult males, which anchors powerful jaw muscles for chewing tough vegetation
The arm span of an adult male gorilla can reach up to 2.6 meters, nearly twice their body height
Infant gorillas weigh about 1.4-2 kg at birth, similar to human newborns despite larger adult size
Gorillas have fingerprints unique to each individual, just like humans, used for identification in research
The chest circumference of a silverback gorilla can measure up to 1.75 meters, showcasing immense torso musculature
Female gorillas reach sexual maturity at 10-12 years, males at 15-20 years due to dominance hierarchies
Cross River gorillas, the rarest subspecies, have shorter hair and lighter pelage compared to other Western gorillas
Gorillas' opposable thumbs allow precise manipulation of objects, with grip strength up to 6 times that of humans
Adult male gorillas have prominent sagittal crests rising up to 3-5 cm high on the skull
The skin on a gorilla's face is typically black or dark gray, turning lighter with age in some individuals
Gorillas have 32 teeth, including large canines in males for display and combat
The brain size of gorillas averages 450-500 cubic centimeters, about one-third that of humans
Gorillas walk with a quadrupedal knuckle-walking gait, with forelimbs 15-20% longer than hindlimbs
Hair color in lowland gorillas is black, while mountain gorillas have longer, thicker fur adapted to cold
Adult gorillas can consume up to 30 kg of vegetation daily, supported by a large cecum for fermentation
The nostril shape in gorillas is parallel and triangular, differing from chimpanzees' outward-facing nostrils
Silverback gorillas develop white hair on their backs around 12-15 years, signaling maturity
Gorillas have a prominent brow ridge protruding up to 2.5 cm over the eyes
The hand of a gorilla has a palm length of about 12-15 cm, with shorter fingers than humans
Gorillas' canines erupt at around 10 years in males, growing continuously throughout life
The rib cage of gorillas is barrel-shaped, providing space for a large digestive tract
Adult gorillas have an average height of 1.65-1.75 m when standing upright
Gorillas possess ischial callosities like other Old World monkeys, but less prominent
The tongue of a gorilla is pink and can extend up to 10 cm for grooming
Gorillas have a body temperature of 38.5°C, similar to humans
The foot of a gorilla measures 28-30 cm long, adapted for both walking and climbing

Physical Characteristics Interpretation

In the formidable architecture of a silverback gorilla—from its crest-anchored jaws and barrel chest to its unique fingerprints—evolution has crafted a gentle vegetarian giant whose sheer physical majesty, from a 2.6-meter wingspan to teeth built for display, belies a complex social creature that begins life no larger than a human baby.

Reproduction and Conservation Status

Gestation period for gorillas is 8.5 months (257 days)
Female gorillas give birth to single offspring every 4-6 years after maturity
Silverbacks mate with multiple females; infanticide occurs if new male takes over
Wild gorilla lifespan averages 35-40 years, up to 50 in captivity
Global wild gorilla population estimated at 316,000-380,000 as of 2018
Western lowland gorillas classified as Critically Endangered, declined 60% since 1983
Mountain gorillas number ~1,063 (2021), up from 680 in 2008 due to conservation
Ebola killed 90% of gorillas in some central African populations 1994-2004
Cross River gorillas: <300 individuals, Endangered, fragmented into 15 groups
Poaching for bushmeat and trophies threatens 20% annual gorilla mortality in some areas
Grauer's (Eastern lowland) gorillas: ~6,800 left, decline 50% since 1994
Habitat loss from agriculture/palm oil affects 70% of gorilla range
Inter-birth interval 3.9 years for mountain gorillas post-infanticide prevention
Captive breeding success >70% in AZA zoos, but low genetic diversity
Juvenile mortality 40% in first year due to disease/infanticide
Tourism generates $17M/year for Rwanda/Uganda gorilla conservation
90% of mountain gorilla population in protected areas with armed guards
Genetic diversity low in Cross River gorillas (heterozygosity 0.68), inbreeding risk
Annual population growth 2.3-2.6% for Virunga mountain gorillas since 2005
Veterinary interventions saved 50+ mountain gorillas from snare injuries 2000-2020
Bushmeat trade kills ~3,000 great apes/year, including gorillas
Community conservation benefits 100,000 people near gorilla habitats
Climate change predicted to reduce gorilla habitat by 94% by 2050 in some models
Reintroduction programs released 10+ lowland gorillas successfully in Gabon
Twinning rare in gorillas (<1% births), usually one survives
Anti-poaching patrols reduced gorilla killings by 66% in Salonga NP
Female fertility peaks 20-25 years, declines after 35

Reproduction and Conservation Status Interpretation

Their existence is a fragile, slow-motion ballet of cautious births and tragic losses, yet against a closing curtain of poaching and habitat loss, their stubborn survival is being fiercely, and sometimes effectively, choreographed by human hands.