Gorillas are the largest of the great apes, but the western lowland gorilla is the smallest of the subspecies. 

Habitat loss and deforestation have historically been the primary causes of declining populations of Africa’s great apes, but experts now agree that the illegal commercial bushmeat trade has surpassed habitat loss as the primary threat to ape populations—particularly for western lowland gorillas.

At the Columbus Zoo, we’re dedicated to the conservation of western lowland gorillas, specifically through our participation in The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program and support of the Gorilla Doctors project.

Scientific Name: Gorilla gorilla

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Size: Males: 5'5" to 6' Females: 4' to 5'

Weight: Males: 300-500 lbs. Female: 140-270 lbs.

Median Life Expectancy: Males:32.7 years; Females:39.1 years

Western Lowland Gorilla
Nutrition
Gorillas are generally herbivores. They eat mainly juicy stemmed plants, but they also consume leaves, berries, ferns, and fibrous bark. They will also eat ants and termites.

At the Zoo, gorillas enjoy a diet of greens, assorted vegetables, a special formulated biscuit for primates, a small amount of fruit, and assorted browse. They also receive starch balls and popcorn for enrichment.
Current Range and Historic Range
Currently found in Gabon, Central African Republic (CAR), Cameroon, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo. Until recently, the core population had an almost continuous distribution from southern CAR to the Congo River and west to the coast.
Habitat
This species lives in lowland and swamp forests.
Predators and Threats
Predation on adult gorillas is not common. Young gorillas may be vulnerable to large raptors and carnivores.

Habitat destruction and deforestation caused by palm oil plantations, mining, and human settlements are the primary threats to gorillas. Additionally, infectious diseases negatively affect their populations. Although there are laws in place prohibiting their capture and hunting in all eight countries of their native range, poaching continues to pose a significant threat to western lowland gorillas.
Physical Description and Adaptations
Coarse, dark hair covers their body except for the face, ears, hands, and feet. Their skin is jet black. As males enter adulthood, they develop a broad, silvery white saddle of hair along the back, extending over their rump as they age. This coloration pattern has resulted in older males being known as "silverbacks." Males develop a prominent sagittal crest (the point where the jaw muscles attach to the top of the skull) and long, dark arm hair. On average, males turn silver around twelve to thirteen years old but do not reach full size until about fifteen years.

Western gorillas' hands are proportionately large, with nails on all digits and very large thumbs. They frequently stand upright but walk using all four limbs, with hands curled and knuckles touching the ground. Walking this way requires long arms, and gorillas' arm spans are longer than their standing height.
Age Classification:
0-3.5 years infant; 3.5-6 years juvenile; 6-8 years subadult; 8 years female adult; male blackback

Like all the apes, gorillas, particularly males, are prone to heart disease.
Reproduction
Typically, gorillas live in groups called harems, where one dominant male within a gorilla troop mates with the females in that group. Gorillas breed year-round. Females reach breeding maturity around ten years, and males around fifteen years.

After about eight and a half months, a pregnant female will give birth to a single offspring weighing between 3.5 and 5.5 pounds. Twins are rare. Young gorillas nurse and depend on their mother for three to four years. Because of this, she will generally reproduce every four or more years. Females provide the young with transportation, food, and socialization.
In professional care, females are not given breeding recommendations until they are at least 10 years old. The gorillas at the Columbus Zoo are allowed to breed naturally, though females may be on birth control to prevent pregnancy.
Communication
Much of gorilla communication is through body language. Tight body posture, avoiding eye contact, and pursed lips can be signs of anger or aggression. Loose body language, including chest-beating, can reflect a desire to play. Direct eye contact can be interpreted as aggression, especially in the case of the silverback. Touch and physical contact also play an important role in communication and social structure.

Gorillas have more than twenty distinct vocalizations, including laughter, grumbling (“happy”), coughing (“back off”), and barking (“danger”).
At the Zoo, the gorillas respond to certain verbal and visual cues for animal husbandry (healthcare) purposes; they are not taught sign language.
Behaviors
Gorillas are generally peaceful, shy, and amiable unless threatened. Male gorillas will charge toward perceived intruders but rarely hit them. If the threat persists, they may charge again.

Gorillas live in close-knit groups called troops, usually consisting of one dominant male, a few adult females, and their young. The silverback heads the group as long as he can defeat competing males, although he may ultimately be driven out to live a solitary life. Young silverbacks are often driven out of the group and may spend several years alone or with other young males before establishing their own group. A hierarchy exists with females in the troop, as well. Females will often migrate to a neighboring group when they become sexually mature.

Gorillas are nest builders and will generally create a new nest of foliage every night to sleep in.
Back

Adopt a Western Lowland Gorilla

Name
Baron Macombo II (Mac)
Gender
Male
Year Born
1983
Weight
~377 lbs.
Identification Notes

Silverback. Enjoys being near the younger gorillas.

Additional Information
Foster to Mo'ana, Kamoli, Kamina, Zahra, and Kwame. Father to JJ.
Born to Columbus, twin of Mosuba (NCZ), Grandson of Colo; born to Bridgette and Oscar.
Name
Kinyani
Gender
Female
Year Born
1983
Weight
~178 lbs.
Identification Notes

Part of Mac's group.
Red hair on head and back. Tends to keep to herself but can be seen by Tabibu or Mo'ana.

Additional Information
Kinyani is deaf. Had foster relationship with Kamoli.
Born at Yerkes in GA., was introduced to Ivan at Zoo Atlanta.
Name
Tabibu
Gender
Female
Year Born
1992
Weight
~183 lbs.
Identification Notes

Part of Mac's group.
Dark hair and dark, shiny face.

Additional Information
Mother of JJ. Was dominant female in group when raising JJ, happy in her more subordinate role.
Born at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, arrived Columbus 2012.
Name
Mo'ana
Gender
Female
Year Born
2001
Weight
~154 lbs.
Identification Notes

Part of Mac's group.
Shorter female with grey hair on her back. Likes to sit at the window and interact with the visitors. Will hang with Tabibu and Kamina.

Additional Information
Born Oklahoma City Zoo, came to Columbus when she was 1, entered foster program. Raised by Sylvia, Nia, and Mac.
Name
Kamina
Gender
Female
Year Born
2014
Weight
~190 lbs.
Identification Notes

Part of Mac's group.
Darker color with silver side burns. Loves to work at the enrichment feeders. As she grows older, spends less time with the kids.

Additional Information
Born at Oklahoma City Zoo. Fostered by Toni and Mac. Spent time in Cincinnati before coming to Columbus.
Name
Sully
Gender
Female
Year Born
2014
Weight
~205 lbs.
Identification Notes

Currently the dominant female in Mac's group.
Red back and head, has a bit of a sway back.

Additional Information
Mother of Kwame.
Born at Milwaukee County Zoo. Same sire as Zahra. Came to Columbus with Dam Shalia 2019
Name
Zahra
Gender
Female
Year Born
2017
Weight
~133 lbs.
Identification Notes

Part of Mac's group.
Grayish hair, a larger female for her age. 

Additional Information
Youngest of the 'big girls.' Half-sister of Sully, enjoys her auntie role with Kwame.
Born Milwaukee County Zoo, arrived Columbus 2018 after parents died of bacterial infection. Foster raised by Toni
Name
Kwame
Gender
Female
Year Born
2023
Weight
~26 lbs.
Identification Notes

Part of Mac's group.
Kwame is a young and confident gorilla. Very independent.

Additional Information
Spent time being 'mothered' by Kamina and Zahra when younger.
Born Columbus to Sully and Kamoli. First offspring for both.
Name
Kamoli
Gender
Male
Year Born
2013
Weight
~338 lbs.
Identification Notes

Large, growing male; getting a red color saddle. A blackback but on his way to becoming a silverback. Playful gorilla, very social when in Mac's group.

Additional Information
Born Columbus to Kambera and Oliver. Foster raised by Pongi (died), Toni (died), Kinyani and Mac.
Name
JJ
Gender
Male
Year Born
2016
Weight
~150 lbs.
Identification Notes

Smaller of the 2 boys. He enjoys initiating play with Kamoli. Dark coloring,   

Additional Information
Born Columbus to Tabibu and Mac (Mac's only biological offspring).
Name
Ktembe
Gender
Male
Year Born
1997
Weight
~328 lbs.
Identification Notes

Relaxed silverback.

Additional Information
Being in a bachelor group, didn't have experience with females but they showed him the way and has turned into a good leader.
Born at the National Zoo. Came to Columbus from a bachelor group in Omaha.
Name
Casode (Cassie)
Gender
Female
Year Born
1993
Weight
~194 lbs.
Identification Notes

Dominant female in Ktembe's group.
When she was an infant, she lost her right thumb.

Additional Information
Mother of Jamani and Nadami (Milwaukee County Zoo).
Born Columbus to Pongi (wild born) and Oscar. Mother raised.
Name
Nia
Gender
Female
Year Born
1993
Weight
~199 lbs.
Identification Notes

Part of Ktembe's group.
Stocky with spiky hair. Like her 1/2 sister, Mo'ana, she will cup her ears. She can be playful with her keepers.

Additional Information
Born Oklahoma City Zoo, arrived Columbus 4/94. Raised by Sylvia and Mumbah in the foster group.
Name
Sue
Gender
Female
Year Born
2004
Weight
~192 lbs.
Identification Notes

Part of Ktembe's group.
She is thinner than the other females in the group and has white sideburns.  Her hair is thin and looks a bit shaggy.

Additional Information
She is a good first time mom to Mara.
Born Lincoln Park Zoo, arrived Columbus 2/14 to observe a mother raising a baby
Name
Jamani
Gender
Female
Year Born
2020
Weight
~93 lbs.
Identification Notes

Part of Ktembe's group.
She is a playful gorilla who interacts with all in her group. Prior to the birth of Mara, she was good at entertaining herself, but she is now focused on Mara.

Additional Information
Born Columbus to Cassie and Ktembe. First offspring for Ktembe, 2nd for Cassie.
Name
Mara
Gender
Female
Year Born
2024
Identification Notes

Part of Ktembe's group.
Very popular with all the females in her group. Originally held very closely by Sue, now spending more time with Cassie and Jamani.

Additional Information
Born Columbus, to Sue and Ktembe. First offspring for Sue, 2nd for Ktembe.