Gorilla Conservation Status

As per the latest International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessments, Gorilla conservation status exposes some alarming trends. Three of four sub-species of gorillas have been declared critically endangered with declining gorilla populations.

In 2013, Western Lowland Gorillas numbered 361,919, which is currently shrinking by roughly 2.7% annually. By estimates, this downward trend could result in over an 80% population decline across just three generations.

Cross River gorillas, known to us since the early 20th century, only received notable attention in the late '80s. Now, merely 100-250 mature individuals remain in the wild.

Grauer's Gorillas, valued at just 3,800, have suffered a drastic 77% population decrease since 1994.

Mountain Gorillas are not entirely clear despite their reclassification from critically endangered to endangered species5. While recent counts estimate at least 1,004 individuals, legal and illegal human intrusion into their habitats could threaten them again.

Regardless of the varied threat levels, all gorilla subspecies face common dangers. A relentless onslaught of habitat destruction, hunting, and diseases such as the ebola virus poses significant risks. In response, conservation efforts have been deployed to counteract these threats.