Conservation Status
The eastern gorilla is the rarer though less threatened of the two gorilla species. The hunt for bushmeat and the decline in suitable habitat as a result of intensifying forestry and the development of agriculture form the most important threats for the species. In some national parks, expeditions in search for mountain gorillas are a popular tourist attraction. This has both advantages (environmental awareness, financial benefit) and disadvantages (disturbance of natural behavior) for the conservation of the gorillas.
As opposed to the western lowland gorilla, the eastern gorilla is seldom found in zoos. The Antwerp Zoo is probably the only Western zoo that has eastern lowland gorillas (two older females). The mountain gorilla is not held in captivity at all.
Read more about this topic: Eastern Gorilla
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