Animal Encounters
Get up close with your favourite Zoo residents in Sydney and Dubbo.
Discover Dubbo
Discover Sydney
Western Lowland Gorilla
Scientific nameGorilla gorilla gorilla
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered
Gorillas are the largest living primates and crucial for their rainforest ecosystems, but human impact is pushing these gentle giants to the brink of extinction.
Sydney
Visitor tips for Sydney
Gorillas can be seen at Map Ref. 10G
Most active
The troop are also most active in the morning and late afternoon
12.10 pm
Keeper Talk
Fast facts about Gorillas
We bet you didn't know these facts about these gentle primates.
Tap the icons
Scroll across and tap the icons to reveal info on Gorillas.
On the move
Gorillas get around by knuckle-walking on all fours, though they walk upright for short distances
Meet the Silverback
Troops are led by a mature male called a Silverback, named for their grey hairs. Silverbacks are responsible for leading, protecting and defending the group.
Food critics
Gorillas are picky feeders, spending a quarter of their day eating vegetation
Growing pains
Gorillas take around 12 years to become fully grown
Sharp smiles
Unusual for a herbivore, gorillas have large, sharp canines which they use for display and defence
Small but mighty
Newborn gorillas are born weighing around 1.5-2kg, smaller than a human baby
Did you know...
35yrs
is a typical lifespan in the wild, or up to 50 years in Zoos.
Where they live
Tropical and montane rainforests
70-180kg
is the weight of an adult Gorilla, with Silverbacks reaching up to 225kg
What they eat
Gorillas are herbivores, eating mostly fruits, herbs, leaves, and sometimes invertebrates
Where they're found
West African nations of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, and Angola
120-180cm
is the height of an adult gorilla
8.5 months
is their usual gestation period
300,000
Gorillas remain in the wild
35yrs
is a typical lifespan in the wild, or up to 50 years in Zoos.
Where they live
Tropical and montane rainforests
70-180kg
is the weight of an adult Gorilla, with Silverbacks reaching up to 225kg
What they eat
Gorillas are herbivores, eating mostly fruits, herbs, leaves, and sometimes invertebrates
Where they're found
West African nations of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, and Angola
120-180cm
is the height of an adult gorilla
8.5 months
is their usual gestation period
300,000
Gorillas remain in the wild
Species management programs
Taronga contributes to an Australasian Species Management Program and/or international breeding program for this species. This helps maintain healthy and resilient zoo-based animal populations by preserving genetic diversity, supporting animal husbandry knowledge, and ensuring exceptional animal welfare, safeguarding the species for the future.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered
Saving the Silverbacks
With less than 300,000 Western Gorillas and only 5000 Eastern Gorillas left in the wild, all four subspecies are Endangered or Critically Endangered. The loss of habitat for mining, palm oil, agriculture, and urban expansion are pushing gorillas closer to each other and people. Living closer to people leads to higher rates of poaching for bushmeat. Civil war and unrest in the region have further decreased populations in recent decades. Their close relatedness to humans also puts them at risk of catching diseases from people, including Ebola and COVID-19. Most gorillas live in unprotected land, increasing these risks.
Protecting gorillas requires protection of their habitat, allowing to live, forage and reproduce without risk of poaching and diseases from humans.
Taronga has supported a range of programs in Africa focused on ending poaching, protecting habitat and eliminating poverty for those that live alongside gorillas. Every mobile phone recycled at Taronga further supports these efforts.
Protecting gorillas requires protection of their habitat, allowing to live, forage and reproduce without risk of poaching and diseases from humans.
Taronga has supported a range of programs in Africa focused on ending poaching, protecting habitat and eliminating poverty for those that live alongside gorillas. Every mobile phone recycled at Taronga further supports these efforts.
Gorilla deep dive
Discover more about what makes Gorillas so terrific.
The gorilla is a gentle, social animal that lives in close family groups of five to ten animals. These groups are called troops and provide safety, protection and opportunities for young gorillas to learn.
The group is led by a dominant male called a “silverback.” The silver-coloured hairs on their back develop with sexual maturity from 12 years of age. They mature into Silverbacks around age 20, becoming responsible for leading, protecting and defending the group.
Maturing males are called “Blackbacks”. They form bachelor groups or start their own families with low-ranking females. Ranking is part of the gorilla family's hierarchy. If a low-ranking female has an infant her rank may change as she now plays the important role of mother.
Soft chest beating is commonly used for family communication in the dense forest. More threatening chest beating and roaring is used by the Silverback to protect the group and his position. Young gorillas are often seen practising this behaviour.
Gorillas sleep about 13 hours each night and rest for several hours during the middle of the day. Each gorilla builds two nests every day - one for the midday sleep and one for the night. A nest is never used twice. The nests are made by bending plants, leaves and branches into a springy platform, usually on the ground or in low trees.
Recyle your phone, save primates
You can recycle your phone at both of Taronga’s Zoos! But wait, what do mobile phones have to do with Gorillas, Siamang and other great apes? Find out with They’re Calling On You.
Conservation partners
Jane Goodall Institute Australia
Taronga proudly supports the efforts of the Jane Goodall Institute Australia in their efforts to protect gorillas, chimpanzees and other apes from extinction. Their work includes efforts to end poaching, protect and restore habitat, and rehabilitate trafficked animals through community-centred conservation programs across Africa.
More to explore
Adopt an Animal
Become a Zoo Parent and make your contribution to precious wildlife.
Wildlife Conservation
Learn about Taronga's Conservation Programs.
