Badongo   Scientific name:   Gorilla gorilla gorilla Animal Type:   Mammal Location:   Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Cabinda (enclave of Angola) and the extreme western tip of Zaire. Conservation Status:   Endangered Diet:   Fruit, vegetables, stems, roots & foliage

Badongo, the western lowland gorilla

Badongo arrived at Durrell in July 2011 and came to us from France on a mission of romance. There is no language barrier between this dashing individual and our female gorillas for the language of love is universal. With his French background, we expect him to delight the ladies in the gorilla group with his expertise in 'l'amour'. It is a question of great expectations.

Badongo has already made a favourable impression on our lady gorillas. News is rapidly spreading on the Durrell grapevine that we have acquired the George Clooney of the gorilla world.

Badongo enjoys munching on leaves & tree bark. An electric fence separated him from his favourite willow tree but this was no obstacle to the wily gorilla who discovered that by simply placing straw bedding over the wire he could safely reach the tasty tree. His keepers will need to be on their toes to outwit Badongo.

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Western lowland gorilla Profile

Western lowland gorillas are endangered, but they remain far more common than their relatives, the mountain gorillas. They live in heavy rain forests, and it is difficult for scientists to accurately estimate how many survive in the wild.

Western lowland gorillas tend to be a bit smaller than their mountain cousins. They also have shorter hair and longer arms.

Gorillas can climb trees, but are usually found on the ground in communities of up to 30 individuals. These troops are organized according to fascinating social structures. Troops are led by one dominant, older adult male, often called a silverback because of the swath of silver hair that adorns his otherwise dark fur. Troops also include several other young males, some females, and their offspring.

The leader organizes troop activities like eating, nesting in leaves, and moving about the group's three-quarter- to 16-square-mile range.
Those who challenge this alpha male are apt to be cowed by impressive shows of physical power. He may stand upright, throw things, make aggressive charges, and pound his huge chest while barking out powerful hoots or unleashing a frightening roar. Despite these displays and the animals' obvious physical power, gorillas are generally calm and nonaggressive unless they are disturbed.

In the thick forests of Central and West Africa, troops find plentiful food for their vegetarian diet.

Female gorillas give birth to one infant after a pregnancy of nearly nine months. Unlike their powerful parents, newborns are tiny—weighing four pounds (two kilograms)—and able only to cling to their mothers' fur. These infants ride on their mothers' backs from the age of four months through the first two or three years of their lives.

In captivity, gorillas have displayed significant intelligence and have even learned simple human sign language.

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Threats and challenges to the western lowland gorilla

In the wild, these primates are under siege. Forest loss is a twofold threat; it destroys gorilla habitat and brings hungry people who hunt gorillas for bush meat. Farming, grazing, the pet trade, hunting trophies, souvenirs and expanding human settlements are also shrinking the lowland gorilla's space.

One that many people are not aware of is charcoal burning. People cut down trees to burn them, in situ and leave them burning for a few days, to make charcoal, fuel wood that people can make their own fires for their homes. The charcoal is then sold in large quantities. Not only is this a loss of habitat for the gorillas but also a risk of fire spreading and causing even more damage.

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Durrell's involvement with the western lowland gorilla

There is ongoing work to raise public awareness about the serious threat that the bush meat trade poses for gorillas.

The worldwide captive population of western lowland gorillas is in the region of 1000 animals kept at some 150 different institutions, and thanks to cooperation between organisations, it is genetically healthy and continues to increase steadily. Tragically, however, if the situation in the wild does not improve soon for the gorilla species as a whole, through the protection of their habitat and the acceptance of alternatives to bush meat, the only way that these incredible apes will be able to share the planet with us may be as captives.

On a positive note, visitors to Durrell’s wildlife park in Jersey have been generously giving money to the ‘Gorilla Guardian’ appeal which is a programme to train rangers of the Virunga National Park.

In 2010 Durrell will be using the money donated by visitors to Durrell to train one of these ‘Gorilla Guardians’ each year at our International Training Centre in Jersey. During the three-month Diploma in Endangered Species Management (DESMAN) course, they will learn how to monitor the remaining gorillas effectively, how to work with local people in the region, and how to raise more funds and manage projects.

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Adoption packs

Adopters will receive an adoption folder containing the following based on Ya Kwanza, the western lowland gorilla:

What's included Bronze Silver Gold A certificate Photograph Fact sheet Birth certificate Animal stickers Two issues of our ‘On the Edge’ magazine per year Regular news via our electronic newsletter ‘eNews’ Complimentary ticket to visit Durrell wildlife park in Jersey Your name listed on our website - Updates about your animal per year - A chance to enjoy a tour with one of our experienced volunteer tour guides, and spend time with your animal and their keeper - - All for just £3 pm £10 pm £55 pm

*Per month

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Where will my western lowland gorilla donation money go?

Our dedicated conservationists can continue to work tirelessly in threatened habitats in our strategic conservation areas of islands and highlands worldwide. They will also battle to protect and conserve as much wildlife as they can.

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Please pay for your adoption by Direct Debit if you can. Direct Debits are cheaper for us to administer, letting us spend more of your money on our vital conservation work. Direct Debits are also better for you because payments are made automatically and can be spread across the year and you won't be bothered with renewal forms. It will simply roll over until you request otherwise. However, you can make a single payment if you prefer.

Click here to view and print the direct debit payment form » » | or download it »

Or use the fom below to make a single payment...