Gorillas

Gorillas
Gorillas
Primate Relations
Biology
Behavior
Research
Future
Gorilla means “hairy person”;
Carthage explorer, 2,500 yrs ago
Gorillas
Gorillas
Reclassification
Gorilla Subspecies
3 geographically isolated
subspecies
Cross River
Gorilla gorilla diehli
Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla berengei berengei
Western Lowland:
Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Eastern Lowland:
Gorilla gorilla graueri
Mountain:
Gorilla gorilla beringi
Western Lowland
Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Gorillas were reclassified into
2 species & 5 subspecies in
the Spring 2000
Gorillas
Bwindi Gorilla
(no scientific name yet)
Gorillas
Habitats/Home Range
Sexual Dimorphism
Male: 6’;350-400 lbs
Female : 5’;160-200 lbs
Cross River
Gorilla gorilla diehli
Other subspecies
Congo, Uganda, Rwanda
Eastern Lowland
Gorilla berengei graueri
Gorillas
Gorillas
Locomotion
Most terrestrial of the
Great Apes
Maintains adaptations for
suspensory locomotion;
still utilizes the trees
Locomotion
Gorillas
Gorillas
Diet & Dentition
Diet & Dentition
Primary folivore
Gorillas
Gorillas
Diet & Dentition
Diet & Dentition
Gorillas
Growth & Development
Gorillas
Group Composition
Gorillas
Mother/Infant Bond
Gorillas
Male Dominance
Most males in a group are related
Silverback & several black backs
Dominance is usually based
on age and physical
strength
Generally
non-violent
Live in groups of about 12 individuals
Usual composition is one silverback, few blackbacks &
juveniles, several adult females and offspring
Females migrate between groups -- harem structure
Signals & gestures rather than
direct confrontation
Will fight to the death if group is
threatened
Gorillas
Gorillas
Assorted Behaviors
Threats to Gorillas
Disease - transferred by people &
domestic animals
Hunting - for food & “trophies”
Capture - for private collections &
pets, no longer for legal zoos
Injuries - from snares by poachers
War - gorillas vs guerillas
Destruction of habitat - thru
deforestation for farming & mining
Gorillas
Gorillas
George Schaller
Dian Fossey
Originally sent to
follow-up on
Schaller’s census
Gorillas
Gorillas
Dian Fossey’s Research
“Leakey’s Angels”
Began work in 1967
Moved to Rwanda, opened Karisoke
Studied mountain gorillas for 18 yrs
Made actual contact with gorillas
Studied behaviors & vocalizations
Group 4; Digit
Anti-poaching patrols
Murdered Dec 27, 1985
Buried next to Digit in site graveyard
Gorillas
Gorillas
Zoos
Tourism
John Aspinall’s “Palace of
the Apes”
San Diego Zoo
Future of gorillas
Highly endangered
Successful
breeding program
in captivity
“Not challenging the animals we were told, was very
important. If a gorilla looks hard at you, look away, the
guides advised. Don’t maintain eye contact; that could be
taken as a challenge. Keep your head lower than the big
male silverback’s head. Don’t point your finger. Move
slowly. Don’t show your teeth too much. They may hit you
w/a branch or pull a tree down
on you, but don’t worry, they’re
only joking. If one charges,
lower your gaze, but stand
your ground. They usually
stop their charge just short
of your position. Usually.”
(Joanne Omang, Boulder Daily Camera, 6/7/90)
Gorillas
Tourism