Today is World Gorilla Day, and we’re remembering our fondness for the impressive primate.
It’s no wonder we like gorillas so much – their DNA is highly similar to that of humans, between 95 and 99 per cent, and they are our next closest living relatives after chimpanzees.
Gorillas are the largest living primates, reaching heights between 1.25 and 1.8 metres, weights between 100 and 270 kg, and arm spans up to 2.6 metres, depending on species and sex.
They tend to live in troops, with the leader being called a silverback. The eastern gorilla is distinguished from the western by darker fur colour and some other minor differences. Gorillas tend to live 35 to 40 years in the wild.
A charity event at Natwest Bank in Workington raising money for Hospice at Home West Cumbria (Image: Newsquest)
There are thought to be around 316,000 western gorillas in the wild and 5,000 eastern gorillas. Both species are classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); all subspecies are classified as Critically Endangered with the exception of the mountain gorilla, which is classified as Endangered.
There are many threats to their survival, such as poaching, habitat destruction and disease. However, conservation efforts have been successful in some areas where they live.
World Gorilla Day creates the opportunity for people all over the world to come together in celebrating gorillas, and more importantly, taking action to protect gorillas in the wild.
Its inaugural year was 2017, which was also the 50th anniversary of the Karisoke Research Center, operated by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Tristam Mayhew, right, Chief Gorilla at Go Ape High Wire Forest Adventure at the National Business Awards (Image: Newsquest)
Dian Fossey was an American primatologist, conservationist and author who dedicated her life to studying and protecting mountain gorillas in the forests of Rwanda and Uganda. In 1966, she embarked on a life-changing journey to the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda, where she would establish the Karisoke Research Center.
Karisoke is the longest running gorilla field study site dedicated to the conservation, protection and study of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. There are many great organisations and individuals dedicated to fighting for their survival, but greater awareness and investment are essential to gaining ground for gorillas.
Individuals, organisations and conservationists of all kinds are invited to join World Gorilla Day to help give a voice to one of our closest relatives.
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