Animal awareness days
Held on September 24th, World Gorilla Day is observed internationally as an opportunity to investigate and understand these incredible primates. Here’s everything you need to know about gorillas, the threats they face, and the actions you can take to help.
When is World Gorilla Day?
World Gorilla Day is celebrated across the world on the 24th of September every year. On this day, individuals and organisations with an interest in gorilla welfare work together to raise awareness of the plight of gorillas.
What is World Gorilla Day?
World Gorilla Day is one of the newer animal awareness days, having only started in 2017. It’s a chance to increase public understanding of these majestic animals and the threats they’re facing in the wild, especially from the exotic pet trade.
6 facts about gorillas
- Gorillas are the most physically powerful primate. They’re up to ten times stronger than humans and their bite is twice as strong as a lion’s.
- Male gorillas beat their chests to attract females and intimidate rivals. These sounds can be heard up to one kilometre away.
- Silverback gorillas aren’t a different species. It’s just the term for an adult male.
- Mountain gorillas travel across their range and build new nests to sleep in each night. As they roam, they help the environment by spreading seeds far and wide.
- Most female gorillas only give birth to three or four babies, making it hard for populations to increase. In fact, mountain gorillas are the only great apes that appear to be growing in numbers.
- Land-use alteration, heavy human pressure on natural resources, climate change, and the exotic pet trade are the biggest threats to gorillas in modern times.
Why gorillas are endangered
Gorillas are large, powerful mammals, but they desperately need our help and protection.
Habitat loss and human conflict
Mountain gorillas are considered endangered with only around 1,000 currently living in the wild. They face habitat loss as humans are using up their land for living space and intensive agriculture. This brings gorilla populations into close contact with humans, leading to potential conflict.
Disease
The close genetic similarity between gorillas and humans also means that we can share diseases. This makes increased contact between gorillas and humans even more dangerous.
Illegal poaching
Though gorillas are hunted as bushmeat, they are more often caught up in hunts for other animals, getting injured in snares and traps left by poachers. One of the biggest threats to their survival, however, is the illegal pet trade. They are caught by poachers and sold to private owners who can’t take proper care of them, causing the animal to suffer both physically and psychologically.
Join our fight against the exploitation and commodification of wild animals. Can you lend your voice?
How to celebrate World Gorilla Day
- Gorillas are wild animals and they need to stay that way. Push to stop the exotic pet trade and never support celebrities keeping gorillas as pets.
- Raise awareness of the plight of gorillas in the wild and increase pressure on governments and companies to prioritise gorilla protection.
- Join international campaigns to protect animals and their habitats.
- Sign up to our newsletter to stay updated on all the latest developments and ways you can help.
Find out about more animal awareness days
Gorilla FAQS
Can gorillas eat meat?
Gorillas are mainly herbivores but they do also eat insects, snails, and caterpillars. They consume up to 30kg of food each day.
Can gorillas swim?
Gorillas can’t swim, which explains why they don’t seem to like water. They’ve been seen using pieces of bamboo to check whether water is shallow enough to cross and they regularly take shelter from the rain.
Are gorillas monkeys?
Gorillas are great apes, not monkeys. In fact, they’re the largest of the great apes. One way to tell the difference is to look if they have a tail — primates without tails are apes.
Are gorillas intelligent?
Gorillas are highly intelligent, sentient beings. They can use tools, communicate vocally, and captive gorillas have even been taught sign language. Some gorillas appear to be able to recognise themselves in mirrors, although this is unusual in the wild.
Gorillas also live as part of social groups known as troops. They work together to build social relationships and protect the troop from harm.
Can gorillas climb trees?
Gorillas can climb trees but they prefer to spend more time on the ground. Some gorillas will sleep in nests in the trees.
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World Orangutan Day August 19th
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