Western Lowland Gorilla

Mayombe joined our gorilla protection project in Gabon in June 2019, from ZooParc de Beauval, France, where she was born.  Mayombe was still very nervous of her new surroundings when Djongo first began to show interest in her at the beginning of November 2019.

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 nearly always together on their island in the middle of the river.  Djongo has really helped improve Mayombe's confidence in her relatively new wild life and it is hoped the pair will eventually move into the forest on the mainland.

Your Adoption Really Helps

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

What's included in your adoption?

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