A large recumbent, silverback, Western Lowland Gorilla shows annoyance and suspicion as he eyes the zoo visitors.
Western lowland gorillas can be distinguished from other gorilla subspecies by their slightly smaller size, their brown-grey coats and auburn chests. They also have wider skulls with more pronounced brow ridges and smaller ears. Large numbers have not protected the western lowland gorilla from decline. Because of poaching and disease, the gorilla’s numbers have declined by more than 60% over the last 20 to 25 years. Even if all of the threats to western lowland gorillas were removed, scientists calculate that the population would require some 75 years to recover.
Size: 4288px × 2848px
Location: Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Photo credit: © Photography By Marco / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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