Category: Primate family

Eastern Gorilla

The Eastern gorilla (lowland)

The Eastern Gorilla, or Eastern lowland gorilla (as the Eastern gorilla subspecies is the mountain gorilla) is a species which makes its home only in lowland tropical rainforests in the eastern DRC. In the last 50 years, its range has almost halved, from 8,100 square miles—about the size of the state of Massachusetts— to about 4,600 square miles today. This subspecies may now occupy only 13% of its historical range.

Eastern Lowland gorilla

There are only about 5000 Eastern lowland gorillas left in the wild. While much of their numbers decrease over the last 50 years, has been as a result of a loss of habitat, their most immediate threat is currently, is that of the bushmeat trade. The area around their range is home to people with very little money. Tourism to this area, would likely greatly improve this issue and reduce the demand for Gorilla bush meat. Apart from the threat for the continued survival of this giant (alongside the mountain gorilla, this species is the largest great ape still living.

Any news articles will appear below, and links to allow travel to this region will be added below.

Cross-river gorilla

Cross-river Gorilla

Cross river gorilla

Cross-river gorillas were originally discovered in 1904, however, in the decates that followed, it was thought that this animal had been hunted to extinction. It was rediscovered in the 1980s, but is incredibly endangered, with only 250-300 remaining. It should be noted, that this is considered a sub-species not a species in its own right – though it is still of great interest, and saving the few that still survive should be a high priority.

As can be expected, its range is very small, though it is hard to know if it ever had a far larger range. Its range is the small dot of light brown found on the map above the pink area.

As we make connections, these will be added below – to help you arrange your travel to see this rare animal

Western Gorillas

Western lowland gorilla

Western lowland gorilla on nature background

The western gorilla is thought to number around 316,000 in the wild. However, this species is actually made up of two subspecies.

Most are simply known as the western lowland gorilla.

The other subspecies is the cross river gorilla, this only has around 200-300 members remaining in the wild. Click here to view the cross river gorilla page. You can see that their population only inhabits a small area.

Any links we get that will allow you to watch lowland gorillas will appear below the news section.

Human beings

Human beings

Human beings are part of this family tree. Whatever your position on creation/evolution it is undeniable that our genetics are closely related to the great apes. I am a Christina, however the genetics are clear – This should not cause a problem with a belief in creationism, but it is a fact, either way.

We are a fascinating species, but it is beyond the scope of this website.

Tapauli Orangutan

Tapanuli Orangutan

Tapanuli orangutan

Orangutans are often animals high on the list that people wish to see one day. Orangutans are the only great ape that lives outside Africa. While fossils show that at one time, it was found on the mainland of Asia, the Orangutan is now restricted to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.There are 3 species of Orangutan and their conservation status varies dramatically. The Orangutan was first scientifically described in 1779 by Dutch anatomist Petrus Camper. 

You will find all the articles we have written on Orangutans below

As always, we hope to add many destinations for Orangutans in the near future, do get in touch if you wish to list somewhere in their range. These links will be added below the news sections as we make links.

Sumatran Orangutan

Sumatran Orangutan

Sumatran Orangutan

 Orangutans are often animals high on the list that people wish to see one day. Orangutans are the only great ape that lives outside Africa.

 

While fossils show that at one time, it was found on the mainland of Asia, the Orangutan is now restricted to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. The Orangutan was first scientifically described in 1779 by Dutch anatomist Petrus Camper. This page is devoted to the Orangutans of Sumatra.

As with all great apes, the Orangutan is a keystone species and by saving its habitat, we save many thousands more as a by-product. The greatest threat has been palm oil plantations – while in theory these are created to reduce carbon emissions, it is questionable as to whether these plantations could ever be carbon negative. Building it on land that has to be cleared of rainforest, means that these palm oil plantations will have huge carbon footprints, which are likely to take over a century to pay off. As such it is not useful for climate change mitigation.
The orangutans of Sumatra are classed as critically endangered. 

They are currently thought to number around 14,000. As always, we hope to add many destinations for Orangutans in the near future, do get in touch if you wish to list somewhere in their range. Below, any listings that might get added in the future, you will find all the articles we have written on Orangutans. 

The Borneo and Sumatran Orangutans were only recognized as separate species in 1996

 

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