Gorillas are the largest great apes, sharing approximately 98% of their DNA with humans. These intelligent, ground-dwelling primates are found exclusively in the tropical and subtropical forests of Central Africa. All gorilla populations are classified as endangered or critically endangered. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their fragmented habitats and remaining wild populations.
The Country with the Largest Gorilla Population
The country widely recognized as the single largest stronghold for gorillas is the Republic of Gabon, located on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa. This nation’s vast, largely undisturbed rainforests are home to an estimated 35,000 to 60,000 individuals, representing a significant portion of the global population. The overwhelming majority of these gorillas belong to the Western Lowland Gorilla subspecies (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), which is the most numerous subspecies overall.
Gabon’s relatively low human population density and extensive protected areas have allowed the gorilla population to thrive. Gorillas are heavily concentrated within the country’s national park system, which covers a substantial part of the territory. Major populations reside in the dense forests of Loango National Park and Moukalaba-Doudou National Park.
The neighboring Republic of the Congo also hosts a very large population of Western Lowland Gorillas. The combined estimate for the entire subspecies ranges between 100,000 and 200,000 individuals across six countries. This subspecies is the key to the high numbers, as its total population far exceeds that of all other gorilla subspecies combined. Gabon’s commitment to preserving its pristine rainforest ecosystem has cemented its status as a sanctuary for these great apes.
Gorilla Species and Subspecies Distribution
Gorillas are divided into two species, the Western Gorilla and the Eastern Gorilla, each containing two distinct subspecies. The most numerous subspecies, the Western Lowland Gorilla, is distributed across a broad range that includes Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea.
The critically endangered Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is the second subspecies of the Western Gorilla, existing in a small, fragmented area along the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Fewer than 300 individuals remain, making it the rarest of all the great apes.
The Eastern Gorilla species includes the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, also known as Grauer’s Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), which is confined to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This subspecies has suffered a catastrophic decline, with current estimates placing their population between 3,800 and 8,000 individuals. The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is the other Eastern Gorilla subspecies, inhabiting the high-altitude volcanic mountains that span the borders of the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda. Despite having a total population of just over 1,000 individuals, this subspecies is one of conservation’s most notable success stories, with their numbers slowly increasing due to intensive protection.
Conservation Efforts and Protected Areas
The continued survival and high numbers of gorillas in countries like Gabon are a direct result of comprehensive conservation strategies centered on large, protected areas. Gabon has dedicated approximately 13% of its land to a network of 13 national parks, which provide vast, secure habitats for the Western Lowland Gorilla.
These protected areas are supported by rigorous anti-poaching patrols, often conducted in partnership with international non-governmental organizations. Law enforcement efforts, including the training of eco-guards and the use of advanced monitoring technology, deter the illegal bushmeat trade. The focus is on interrupting the supply chain and prosecuting wildlife criminals to reduce the mortality of gorillas and other forest wildlife.
Conservation programs also involve long-term scientific research, such as gorilla habituation initiatives in Loango National Park, which allow for close monitoring of health and social dynamics. This research is often a collaboration between government agencies and institutions. Community involvement is integrated into the model, with local people often employed as guides, trackers, and park staff.
Ecotourism, carefully managed in specific parks, provides a source of revenue that directly funds conservation efforts and demonstrates the economic value of living gorillas. The creation of sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers also plays a role by offering a place to care for orphaned individuals. These multi-faceted approaches, combining habitat protection, law enforcement, and local economic benefit, are the reason gorillas continue to maintain a foothold in the region.