Gorillas are black to brown-gray in color and start to turn gray with age. They are sexually dimorphic (2 distinct gender forms): males weigh approximately twice as much as females. As they age, males get a broad silvery-white saddle on their back, from which the term "silverback" for dominant males was derived. Gorillas have large, muscular bodies and adult males are particularly massive in the chest and shoulders. Gorillas’ arms are longer than their legs, a feature that enables them to walk comfortably on all fours. Although gorillas are well-adapted for ground dwelling, they have opposable thumbs and toes that allow them to grasp objects such as tree branches. Gorillas have prominant brown ridges and small ears. Their faces, feet, upper chest and the palms of their hands are hairless.

Gorillas are endangered in the wild and their range is shrinking, mainly due to degredation from agriculture, timber extraction, mining and climate change. There are also exceptionally high levels of hunting and disease-induced mortality.

• Listed as "critically endangered" on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).
• CZS conservation - Species Survival Plan
• Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International

Help with the care of Binti Jua, Jojo, Kamba, and Nora Western Lowland Gorillas  through our Share the Care program.