(Scientific name: Gorilla beringei beringei)
Scientific name: Gorilla beringei graueri
Eastern Lowland Gorillas
The eastern lowland gorilla, also known as Grauer's gorilla is a Critically Endangered subspecies of eastern gorilla which are found only in the mountainous forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The eastern lowland gorilla is 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, in common with other subspecies of gorilla, are largely herbivorous but have been observed eating ants and other insects. They live in family groups led by the dominant male silverback, and during the day spend their time feeding and resting. Gorillas build new nests to sleep in every night.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Population
Number remaining – Fewer than 6,000 eastern lowland gorillas remain in the wild.
Eastern Lowland gorillas are considered Critically Endangered IUCN’s Red List. It is estimated that eastern lowland gorilla populations have declined 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 Democratic Republic of Congo.
The eastern lowland gorilla makes its home in lowland tropical rainforests in the eastern DRC. In the last 50 years, it is estimated that the Eastern Lowland gorilla range has decreased dramatically, 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 DR Congo, a country plagued by continued conflict.
Like mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas are threatened by habitat loss, but 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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