Western Lowland Gorilla

This wonderful family of Gorillas in Gabon have made conservation history! Djongo and Mayombe are the first captive born Gorillas to give birth to a wild born baby, who has been named Taali.

Mother Mayombe joined our gorilla protection project in Gabon in June 2019, from ZooParc de Beauval, France, where she was born. Mayombe has flourished in the wild and warmed to Djongo so much that in June 2021 they became parents!

Djongo, who was repatriated to Gabon from Port Lympne in 2013 has matured into a confident, healthy male. His presence had an immediate effect on Mayombe, and the love birds are always together on their island in the middle of the river.  Djongo has really helped improve Mayombe's confidence in her new wild life in Gabon and it is hoped the pair will eventually move into the forest on the mainland.

They welcome baby girl Taali in June 2021 who is being closely protected by Dad Djongo and monitored from afar by our dedicated rangers. We are so pleased that our dedicated work has led to conservation history and a future generation of these critically endangered Gorillas.

Your Sponsorship Really Helps

By sponsoring an Aspinall animal, you are helping to support our amazing overseas work and back to the wild campaigns.

What's included in your Sponsorship?

Please note: Automatic name generation is currently unavailable for Digital sponsorships certificates. These will be left blank for the purchaser or recipient to enter. For Printed Sponsorships please provide the recipients name and it will be manually entered when you order is processed. 

Fun Facts about the Western Lowland Gorillas 

 Did you know they have 22 different types of hoots, barks and screams that all have a different meaning when communicating with other gorillas!  

Diet & habits

Gorillas eat a wide range of plants, roots, leaves and fruits. Our gorillas receive over 150 different types of food. 

Where they can be found in the wild

Living deep in the rainforests of West Africa, the western lowland gorilla is the most widespread of all of the subspecies. By living in the rainforests, they have better access to a wide range of food items like roots, bark, fruit and pulp.

Nearly 80% of all western lowland gorillas in the wild live in unprotected areas leaving them' vulnerable to poaching. They are now classified as critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting for bushmeat. In 2000 it was estimated that the ebola virus wiped out a third of all gorillas in the wild.

How we're helping