The UNEP Convention of the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the UNEP / UNESCO Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) have joined forces to declare 2009 the Year of the Gorilla (YoG).

CMS works for the conservation of a wide array of endangered migratory animals worldwide trough the negotiation and implantation of agreements and species action plan.

GRASP is a strategic alliance of UN agencies, governments, NGOs, foundations and corporate sponsors. CMS is one of the members of the international GRASP partnership which aims to stop the decline of great ape populations.

WAZA is the umbrella organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community. Its members include selected zoos and aquariums, and regional and national associations from all around the world.

Why are the gorillas so important?

Great Apes, and especially the largest of all, gorillas, have always been a source of inspiration and fascination for humans. Their close kinship to human makes them stand out in animal kingdom. Genetic analyses show that gorillas share 98.4% of their genes with humans.

Gorillas have been shown to possess self-awareness, remarkable intelligence and ability to communicate with signs and symbols as well as use some basic tools. They express emotions such as joy and distress in a way similar to humans.

Why do we need to save gorillas?

Some gorilla populations are the object of concerted conservation and restoration efforts. However, gorillas as a whole remain endangered and continue to face severe threats. All the great ape species of Africa – the Bonobo, chimpanzees and gorillas – and the orang-utans of South – East Asia are in steep decline, and the rate of loss is increasing virtually everywhere.

The conservation of viable wild populations of each species, necessary to prevent their extinction, represents a difficult challenge to humanity. Not only are these species humanity’s closest relatives, they are keystone species in forest that regulate the global climate. A failure to save them from extinction would be an irreversible loss and bad omen for humanity’s future prospects.

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Habitat and food

Gorillas are forest dwelling species, most of whose numbers live outside protected areas. They inhabit tropical rain forest, forest edges and clearings, riverine forests, swamps and abandoned fields. Western Gorillas and Eastern Lowland Gorillas live in tropical forest where herb densities are lower and fruit is more abundant compared to the high – altitude montane forest, which is characteristic habitat of the Mountain Gorillas. Correspondingly, Lowland Gorillas have a lot of fruit in their diet while Mountain Gorillas eat mostly herbs, leaves, stems and roots.

Gorillas spend more than half the day eating.

A closer look at gorillas

Our understanding of gorillas has significantly increased over the last four decades. Scientist have entered their world and discovered both their social complexity and their keystone role in the ecology of their habitats.

There are four widely recognized gorilla subspecies, belonging to two species. Primatologists continue to explore the relationships between various gorilla populations. The species and subspecies listed here are the ones upon which most experts agree.

Genus Gorilla

Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)

• Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla; 200.000 individuals)
• Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli; 250 – 300 individuals)

Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei)

• Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei; 650 – 750 individuals)
• Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla berengei graueri; 5.000 – 10.000 individuals)

Today, there remain only 10 countries with naturally occurring populations of gorillas. (Mapa)

Threats

Numerous threats endanger gorillas’ survival. Together with the other great apes, they are most severely threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting and the bushmeat trade, diseases and epidemics, mining and the effects of armed conflicts.

• Hunting

The killing of gorillas for the bushmeat trade and traditional medicine has a devastating impact on gorilla populations, especially where they live close to humans. Studies have estimated that between one and five million tonnes of wild animal meat are extracted per year from the Congo Basin alone. The sale of live specimens is an additional threat to gorillas. To capture one live infant, at least two adult are killed, and four out of five infants die before reaching skilled care. Thus to procure one live infant, 14 gorillas are likely to have die.

• Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation

Increasing deforestation as a result of excessive and illegal or burning forests, the expansion of agriculture, the commercial charcoal trade, development of infrastructure such as forest roads or mining all contribute to habitat loss and fragmentation.

• Diseases / epidemics

Viral epidemics such as Ebola or human – transmitted diseases also play an important role. A 2006 study conclude that more than 5000 gorillas may have died in outbreaks of the Ebola virus hemorrhagic fever in this study’s area alone. The total death toll is probably much higher.

• Armed conflicts and civil war

Many of the gorilla range states have unstable political climates, with war and local conflicts making it hard to ensure effective implementation of conservation measures. As chronic instability continues to plague the region, more than 500.000 Internally Displaced People and refugees have spread across the region, burning forest for agriculture or charcoal and hunting to sustain themselves.