About
Gorillas are the largest living primates. Their powerful size is accompanied by incredible strength. Despite their size and strength, gorillas are shy and gentle creatures. Like the other great apes, they express an array of emotions such as happiness, laughter, and grief. They form strong family bonds, have developed social relationships, and display affection such as hugging. Gorillas are also very intelligent. Multiple distinct vocalisations have been recognized as a form of communication amongst a troop (group) of gorillas; they possess self-awareness, use tools, and understand the concept of past and future. Some gorillas have even mastered simple human sign language.
Gorillas inhabit the forests of central Africa. Their diet is predominantly herbivorous and they spend a great deal of time feeding on stems, bamboo shoots, and fruits. Gorillas play an important role in local biodiversity. By roaming over large territories, gorillas spread seeds from the food that they consume. Movements of gorilla groups also open up spaces between trees allowing light to reach low lying plants.
There are two species of gorillas and each has two subspecies. Their total population numbers 100,000 and is steadily decreasing. Only 600 mountain gorillas exist in the wild. All four subspecies of gorillas are either endangered or critically endangered. They face many threats, such as habitat loss due to deforestation and pollution, causing them to lose their homes and resources necessary to survive. Another serious threat to gorillas’ existence is wildlife trade: gorillas are captured and taken from their groups (in which they have formed strong emotional relationships) and sold to zoos, researchers, or as exotic pets. Poachers are a huge threat to gorillas. Gorillas are hunted for their bodies, which are either sold to collectors or as food. Gorillas are also very susceptible to many human diseases and have suffered great losses due to infectious diseases that have crossed to them from humans.
With your help, we can work to create a better and brighter future for the beautiful and intelligent creatures!
We donate 10% of our net profits to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, an organization founded by the famous zoologist, primatologist, and anthropologist Dr. Dian Fossey who extensively studied the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. This organization is dedicated to conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats.
They research gorillas and their ecosystem, provide education on the importance and relevance of gorillas. They work with trackers, educators, locals, and scientists to help protect gorillas and their habitat from poaching, disease, and habitat loss.
