Gorillas have different species, and each species lives in a specific environment. Each species lives up to a certain age, so the lifespan of gorillas varies according to the species.
So how long do gorillas live? Just like humans, gorillas also die at some point. They are also affected by diseases that can sometimes lead to death.
Their 98% DNA match with humans makes them prone to some of the same infections that affect people.
Lowland gorillas only survive in lowlands and under captivity, while mountain gorillas survive best in mountainous and hilly areas. Mountain gorillas cannot live for long in captivity because they are used to cold temperatures.
Mountain gorillas are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga Conservation Area, which is shared by Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Congo.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over half of the remaining mountain gorillas, making it the best place to see gorillas in Africa.
Lowland gorillas live in the forests of Gabon, Angola, Cameroon, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and some parts of Congo.
So let us look at how long gorillas live in different habitats.
When you go on a Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo gorilla trekking tour, you will learn more about the habitats of these gorillas.
Gorilla Lifespan in Captivity
How long do gorillas live in captivity? Gorillas tend to live longer in captivity. They can live up to 60 years.
In 2017, Colo, the oldest gorilla in captivity at the time, died at the age of 60. She passed away a few weeks after celebrating her 60th birthday.
She spent all her life at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where she was also born. She lived 20 years longer than the average gorilla in captivity.
The cause of her death is still not known, even though she went through a number of illnesses.
Gorilla Lifespan in the Wild
A gorilla can live up to 40 years in the wild. They do not have natural enemies, so they live longer.
Life in the wild is still risky for gorillas. For many years, countries have worked to protect them by monitoring their habitats, reducing human contact, and stopping poaching.
These efforts have helped protect them from diseases and illegal hunting.
Sometimes, young gorillas (mostly juveniles) are killed by silverbacks (the leaders of the group). A silverback leads the gorilla family and is the only one allowed to breed and mate within the group.
When a silverback takes over another group, he may kill the young male gorillas so that only his own babies are raised in the group.
Just like people, gorillas have different personalities. Not all silverbacks do this. Some are calm, loving, and friendly. Only a few act this way.
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