Post by Vodmeister on Mar 1, 2014 2:14:59 GMT 5
Gorilla beringei
Facts
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Primates
Family Hominidae
Genus Gorilla
Subspecies
1. Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
2. Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri)
Size
Height: 1.3-1.9m
Weight 98-160kg
Status
Classified as Endangered (EN – A2cd) on the IUCN Red List 2002. Subspecies:Mountain gorilla (G.b.beringei) classified as Critically Endangered (CR – C2a (ii));lowland gorilla (G.b.graueri) classified as Endangered (EN – A2cd + 3cd + 4cd)
Description
The largest of the living apes, the gorilla has a characteristically heavy body shape and shaggy dark coat. Until recently it was considered a single species but DNA evidence has led to the recognition of the eastern and western populations as distinct species; Gorilla beringei and Gorilla gorilla respectively. Gorillas have robust bodies with broad chests and long arms. The mountain gorilla subspecies (G.b.beringei) has a particularly long coat, which is blue-black to brownish-grey in colour. Mature male gorillas are much larger than females with a large skull crest. At about 14 years old, the hair in the saddle of their back turns white and hence they are known as ‘silverbacks'. Gorillas are quadrupedal, walking on the knuckles of their forelimbs and the soles of their feet.
Range
The most well known of the eastern gorillas, the mountain gorilla, is found in a single population of about 360 individuals in the Virunga Range of volcanoes situated on the boarders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A second population of about 300 gorillas are found in Bwindi-Impenetrable National Park in Uganda but these may in fact represent a distinct subspecies. The eastern lowland or Grauer's gorilla (G.b.graueri) is found only in eastern DRC, although it is more abundant than the mountain gorilla.
Habitat
Inhabits montane tropical forest. Mountain gorillas are found at altitudes of 2,500-3,970 metres.
Biology
Eastern gorillas live in stable, cohesive family groups, led by a dominant silverback male. Eastern gorillas tend to have larger group sizes than their western relatives, numbering up to 35 individuals. There is no distinct breeding season and females give birth only once every 3-4 years due to the long period of parental care and a gestation period of 8.5 months. Newborn gorillas have greyish-pink skin and can crawl after 9 weeks; they are not fully weaned until 3.5 years. Males defend their females and offspring using their large size in intimidating displays involving charging and chest-beating.
Eastern gorillas are herbivorous, with a heavily foliage based diet . They have smaller home ranges than western gorillas as foliage is more abundant than fruit. They are diurnal but the majority of foraging occurs in the morning and late afternoon. At they build night nests by folding over vegetation, usually on the ground.
Threats
Poaching for infants is the biggest threat to mountain gorillas. The biggest threats to Grauer's gorillas result from armed conflict in and around the parks. In the past decade many Grauer's gorillas have been shot dead in crossfire, or for food by people hiding in their forests. Snares set to trap other wildlife may accidentally maim and even kill gorillas. Instability in the region has further added to the threats faced by gorillas and civil war has raged here, making arms more accessible and creating a large number of refugees. A relatively new threat to the gorilla comes from the tourist trade that has so far aided its survival; people coming into close contact with gorillas may put them at risk from human diseases.
Conservation
The mountain gorilla occurs mainly within national parks and in some areas is protected by armed guards to prevent poaching. Gorillas in the Virunga region have been studied and protected for many decades and are now seen as an important source of tourist revenue. The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has recently recognised the urgent need to protect our closest relatives and has established a Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP). This project is aimed at identifying the conservation initiatives required to secure the future of the apes and at obtaining political support and funding to allow these to be achieved (9). A multifaceted approach is needed to ensure the survival of one of our most impressive cousins.
Facts
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Primates
Family Hominidae
Genus Gorilla
Subspecies
1. Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
2. Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri)
Size
Height: 1.3-1.9m
Weight 98-160kg
Status
Classified as Endangered (EN – A2cd) on the IUCN Red List 2002. Subspecies:Mountain gorilla (G.b.beringei) classified as Critically Endangered (CR – C2a (ii));lowland gorilla (G.b.graueri) classified as Endangered (EN – A2cd + 3cd + 4cd)
Description
The largest of the living apes, the gorilla has a characteristically heavy body shape and shaggy dark coat. Until recently it was considered a single species but DNA evidence has led to the recognition of the eastern and western populations as distinct species; Gorilla beringei and Gorilla gorilla respectively. Gorillas have robust bodies with broad chests and long arms. The mountain gorilla subspecies (G.b.beringei) has a particularly long coat, which is blue-black to brownish-grey in colour. Mature male gorillas are much larger than females with a large skull crest. At about 14 years old, the hair in the saddle of their back turns white and hence they are known as ‘silverbacks'. Gorillas are quadrupedal, walking on the knuckles of their forelimbs and the soles of their feet.
Range
The most well known of the eastern gorillas, the mountain gorilla, is found in a single population of about 360 individuals in the Virunga Range of volcanoes situated on the boarders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A second population of about 300 gorillas are found in Bwindi-Impenetrable National Park in Uganda but these may in fact represent a distinct subspecies. The eastern lowland or Grauer's gorilla (G.b.graueri) is found only in eastern DRC, although it is more abundant than the mountain gorilla.
Habitat
Inhabits montane tropical forest. Mountain gorillas are found at altitudes of 2,500-3,970 metres.
Biology
Eastern gorillas live in stable, cohesive family groups, led by a dominant silverback male. Eastern gorillas tend to have larger group sizes than their western relatives, numbering up to 35 individuals. There is no distinct breeding season and females give birth only once every 3-4 years due to the long period of parental care and a gestation period of 8.5 months. Newborn gorillas have greyish-pink skin and can crawl after 9 weeks; they are not fully weaned until 3.5 years. Males defend their females and offspring using their large size in intimidating displays involving charging and chest-beating.
Eastern gorillas are herbivorous, with a heavily foliage based diet . They have smaller home ranges than western gorillas as foliage is more abundant than fruit. They are diurnal but the majority of foraging occurs in the morning and late afternoon. At they build night nests by folding over vegetation, usually on the ground.
Threats
Poaching for infants is the biggest threat to mountain gorillas. The biggest threats to Grauer's gorillas result from armed conflict in and around the parks. In the past decade many Grauer's gorillas have been shot dead in crossfire, or for food by people hiding in their forests. Snares set to trap other wildlife may accidentally maim and even kill gorillas. Instability in the region has further added to the threats faced by gorillas and civil war has raged here, making arms more accessible and creating a large number of refugees. A relatively new threat to the gorilla comes from the tourist trade that has so far aided its survival; people coming into close contact with gorillas may put them at risk from human diseases.
Conservation
The mountain gorilla occurs mainly within national parks and in some areas is protected by armed guards to prevent poaching. Gorillas in the Virunga region have been studied and protected for many decades and are now seen as an important source of tourist revenue. The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has recently recognised the urgent need to protect our closest relatives and has established a Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP). This project is aimed at identifying the conservation initiatives required to secure the future of the apes and at obtaining political support and funding to allow these to be achieved (9). A multifaceted approach is needed to ensure the survival of one of our most impressive cousins.
