Western Gorilla

The Western Gorilla (latin name: Gorilla Gorilla) is the most popular species of Gorillas, and is dubbed as critically endangered by the IUCN Redlist. Two subspecies are known, the Western Lowland Gorilla and the Cross River Gorilla.

The Western Gorilla is lighter in color than its Eastern cousin. The Western Lowland Gorilla can be brown or greyish with a reddish forehead. It also has an overhanging tip on its nose, which the Eastern Gorilla lacks. Males measure 170-180cm and weigh 140-275kg. Females measure 140-150cm and weigh 60-100kg. The Western Gorilla is more slim then the Eastern Gorilla. The Cross River Gorilla is different from the Western Lowland Gorilla in both skull and tooth dimensions.

Nearly all of the individuals of this taxon belong to the Western Lowland Gorilla subspecies (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) whose population is approximately 350,000 individuals (as per survey results August 5, 2008). There are fewer than 300 of the only other Western Gorilla subspecies, the Cross River Gorilla.

The main threat to Western Gorillas is the Ebola virus.