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From: John Smith, Educator, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Category: African Land Animals
Date: 4/22/99
Time: 10:19:53 AM
There are 3 subspecies of gorilla in Africa. They are the mountain gorilla, the eastern lowland gorilla, and the western lowland gorilla.
The mountain gorilla is the least numerous with population estimates at about 600 animals. This subspecies is the most intensely studied of the three in large part due to their human habituation and small range.
The western lowland and eastern lowland populations are estimated at 30,000-40,000 and 3,000-5,000 respectively. Even though they are more numerous their habits and ecology are virtually unknown when compared to the mountain gorilla subspecies. What is known is that they habitat in the rain forests of central Africa is disappearing rapidly and they are increasingly being sought after as a food source. There is a growing concern that the "bush meat" trade may have devastating effects on many forest species, particularly great apes and other mammals, if it is not curtailed.
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