Information is taken from the game and may change or differ over time. Last updated .
Statistics
The Western lowland gorilla (or Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is native to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo and Southern Niger, living and foraging in the rainforests, swamp forests and abandoned farmland there.
They have black skin, dark forward-facing eyes, a prominent brow ridge, large nostrils and coarse hair which covers most of their body except the face, ears, hands and feet. Males are much larger than females and, when they mature, the hair on their backs becomes grey and they are identified as 'silverbacks'.
Male gorillas are much larger, up to twice the size, than females. On average, they are 1.7m tall while standing on their hind legs and weigh 181.5kg. Females are 1.5m tall and weigh around 79kg.
- Gorillas are the largest primate species.
- Gorillas are incredibly important to the forests in which they live because their feeding and roaming habits disperse fruit seeds.
- Gorillas build nests daily that they sleep in at night; these nests are usually in trees.
- Gorillas create and use tools, using branches they have modified to get food that is out of reach, or to measure the depth of water.
- Gorillas have been taught sign language successfully – Koko the gorilla, born in San Francisco Zoo, learned over 1100 signs.
Habitat
Minimum habitat requirements
Planned population
Space
Barrier
Terrain
Environment
Preferred group ranges
Social
Gorillas are social animals, living in small groups with an approximately even split of male and females. There will usually be one dominant male, known as the silverback – although there can occasionally be two; a father and son – who leads the group when foraging or travelling. Despite individuals within groups being unrelated, the females will have very strong bonds with each other and their silverback, not leaving him in favour of another male once their group has been established.
Block of Frozen Fruit
Fixed Roller Feeder - Large
Forage Box
Fruit Spike Tree
Melon Feeder
Tool Puzzle Feeder
Bobbin
Bobbin Drum
Curio Ball
Mirror Mobile
Musical Keyboard
Rubber Duck
Small Ball
Small Ice BallThriving relationships
0iNo compatible species
Neutral relationships
1i
Release
Release requirements
Family Group
Release Groups can only be released via Conservation Projects or Quick Release.
Solitary Male
Conservation
The Western lowland gorilla is Critically Endangered. Their tropical forest habitats in Central Africa are increasingly fragmented by logging, mining, and agricultural expansion. This limits food access and isolates populations. Poaching remains a critical threat, as gorillas are hunted for bushmeat and whole troops may be killed to access and capture a single infant for the illegal wildlife trade. Diseases, such as the Ebola virus, have, in recent decades, wiped out up to 90% of some local populations. All this is exacerbated by climate change altering their forest ecosystems.
Gorillas are being supported both in-situ and ex-situ. Protected areas and national parks provide critical safe habitats with anti-poaching patrols and habitat management. Community-based conservation programmes engage local people in sustainable livelihoods and forest stewardship, reducing the incentive to hunt or capture gorillas. In captivity, zoos and breeding centres manage breeding programmes, public education, and genetic research, and support in-situ efforts with funding, hoping to ensure a long-term survival of the species.
Research
| Level | Unlocks | Bonus | Research gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: at least 4 objects or plants with the Climbable tag; Western Lowland Gorilla Fact Sheet | ||
| 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: at least 6 objects or plants with the Rocks tag; Fertility Level 1 | Fertility (+15%) | |
| 3 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Release groups and release to the wild | ||
| 4 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 50% native plants | ||
| 5 | Thriving Requirement 5: Water Surface Area; Fertility Level 2 | Fertility (+30%) |
Conservation topics
Life
Reproduction
Lifecycle
Body
1.67 m
1.5 mBreeding
Gorillas mate year-round. When a female gorilla is fertile, she will slowly approach the silverback and attempt to get his attention by maintaining eye contact and puckering her lips. If he does not respond, she will pound the ground near him; if the bid is successful, the male will mate with her.
The mother is pregnant for 8.5 months before giving birth to one baby, which she will care for closely until the infants are around 4 years old, when their offspring begin to gain significant independence. Between 9 and 10 years old, young gorillas both male and female will leave their family group.
Young females will search for a group to join, whereas males will be solitary for some time until they are mature enough to become silverbacks and form their own group. Gorillas reach sexual maturity between 8 and 9 years old.