Meet the Western Lowland Gorilla, one of the most majestic creatures in the animal kingdom. They are the largest primates on Earth, with adult males weighing up to 400 pounds.
These gentle giants are herbivores, feeding on a diet rich in leaves, shoots, and fruits. They are found in the dense forests of central Africa, where they spend most of their time roaming and foraging.
The Western Lowland Gorilla is an endangered species due to habitat loss and poaching. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their habitats and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Meet the Western Lowland Gorillas
The western lowland gorillas at Como Zoo have a family troop with six residents, and this guide will help you spot each of them.
Nyati is the daughter of Schroeder and Alice, and she's part of the troop.
Nne and Dara are also troop members, and they're living alongside Nyati, Schroeder, and Alice.
Dara and Schroeder's offspring, Arlene, is also a member of the troop.
Western lowland gorillas are native to central and western Africa.
They're listed as "critically endangered" due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease outbreaks.
Como Zoo participates in conservation efforts and Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs to help protect and preserve this incredible species.
Welcome, Zahra!
Zahra, the western lowland gorilla, was born a western lowland gorilla. She's already made quite the impression on her primate keepers, who are excited to share her journey with us.
At just 4 weeks old, Zahra was already getting attention from her primate keepers, who were eager to share updates on her progress. Primate keeper Valerie Schultz wrote about Zahra's early days in a #GorillaStory update.
As Zahra grew, she became more curious about the world around her. By the time she was 6 weeks old, she was exploring beyond her mother's protective arms. Primate keeper Lynne McMahan wrote about this exciting milestone.
By 2 months old, Zahra was still very curious and was getting into all sorts of mischief. Primate keeper Carolina Powell shared her latest update on #GorillaStory, giving us a glimpse into Zahra's playful personality.
On September 27, Zahra will celebrate her 16th month birthday. Primate keeper Francesca Bozzo will likely have an update on her progress by then, so be sure to check back for more #GorillaStory updates.
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Conservation Efforts
The Houston Zoo is doing some amazing work in the conservation of western lowland gorillas. Their annual cell phone recycling challenge has recycled 1,544 devices, reducing the need to mine for materials in gorilla habitats.
The zoo's conservation efforts go beyond just recycling. They provide veterinary and education training, equipment, and support for African gorilla conservation partners.
One way they're supporting conservation is by providing support for African gorilla conservation veterinarians from Gorilla Doctors. These veterinarians perform routine health checks and medical interventions on gorillas in the wild, removing snares and providing medications to improve the health of the wild gorilla groups.
The zoo's partnership with Gorilla Doctors has a direct impact on the lives of western lowland gorillas. By working together, they're helping to keep these incredible animals healthy and thriving in their natural habitats.
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Animal Facts and News
Western lowland gorillas can be found in the wild in several African countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.
Gorillas have unique nose prints, which scientists use to identify them in the wild. They also have unique fingerprints.
In zoos, western lowland gorillas are cared for by dedicated primate staff, who work to ensure their well-being and happiness.
A Day at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
A Day at the Smithsonian's National Zoo is a unique experience for both the animals and the visitors. The western lowland gorilla troop at the zoo is a great example of this.
Baraka, the silverback gorilla, is serious about food and requires special attention from the primate keepers. He needs to eat his meals regularly to stay healthy.
The gorillas at the zoo spend their days playing, foraging, training, and snoozing. They have a lot of energy to burn off, so they need plenty of opportunities to exercise and relax.
Primate keepers at the zoo noticed that Baraka wasn't eating his meals, which led them to investigate further and provide him with the care he needed. His change in appetite was a sign that something was off.
Many Animal Species Vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Many animal species are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. A recent genomic study analyzed the potential of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to bind to the ACE2 receptor site in 410 vertebrate animals.
Old World primates and great apes have a very high propensity for binding ACE2 due to identical amino acids at the binding site as humans. This makes them potentially susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The study ranked the potential of SARS-CoV-2 to bind to the ACE2 receptor site in various animal species.
Animal Facts
Gorillas have unique nose prints, just like humans have fingerprints, which scientists use to identify them in the wild.
The western lowland gorilla is a critically endangered species, and conservation efforts are in place to protect them.
Gorillas can be found in the wild in countries such as Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.
A western lowland gorilla born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is a significant event, as it's been five years since the last birth of a western lowland gorilla at the zoo.
Western lowland gorillas spend their days playing, foraging, training, and snoozing, just like any other animal at the zoo.
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