Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

Western lowland gorillas are found in tropical forests of Central Africa in the countries of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea.

The gorilla is the world's largest primate. Males can weigh up to 600 pounds (270 kg) and stand 6 feet (1.8 m) on all fours [females usually weigh less than 120 kg-265 pounds]. Gorillas live in family groups consisting of one dominant silverback male, one to three sub-adult males, and several females and juveniles. A silverback male will have complete control over his group, dictating when to commence nest-building or forage, and how to accept intruders. Gorillas are gentle, intelligent animals that feed on leaves, stems, bamboo shoots, and fruits.

There are about 90,000 western lowland gorillas in the wild. Some other gorilla species, like the mountain gorilla found in Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are much rarer. Gorillas are threatened bu hunting and deforestation.