Martin HARVEYThe largest of the great apes,the gorilla is among our most endangered species.Having endured decades of civil war in Central and East Africa,gorillas are confronted by the devastating consequences of increased habitat loss,poaching for the bushmeat trade and the spread of dangerous diseases like Ebola.
While the efforts to safeguard the different subspecies are meeting with varied levels of success,each remains a conservation priority for WWF.On the cusp of extinction prior to the hundredth anniversary of its discovery,the mountain gorilla population,which now totals more than 700 individuals,is beginning a slow increase,thanks to a dedicated effort and sound conservation initiatives.But the western lowland gorilla,the most numerous and widespread of the four subspecies,faces a severe Ebola crisis which,recent reports show,has caused a 56 percent decline in population across its range,with some of the hardest hit areas suffering even more.
WWF continues to work in the field and engage its conservation partners in order to address these threats and protect this wondrous and endangered species.Together,we can provide a more secure future for the gorilla.