The western lowland gorilla is one of two Critically Endangered subspecies of the western gorilla that lives in montane, primary and secondary forest and lowland swampland in central Africa in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. It is the nominate subspecies of the western gorilla, and the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies.
Image: Western Lowland Gorilla 03
Image: Western Lowland Gorilla 05
Close-up of male silverback's head at the Leipzig Zoo in Leipzig city, Germany
Skull of a male subject
The western gorilla is a great ape found in Africa, one of two species of the hominid genus Gorilla. Large and robust with males weighing around 168 kilograms (370 lb), the species is found in a region of midwest Africa, geographically isolated from the eastern gorilla. The hair of the western species is significantly lighter in color.
Image: Male gorilla in SF zoo
Image: Gorilla gorilla at the Bronx Zoo 007
Western gorilla
Image: Western Lowland Gorilla 03