Silverback Gorillas Face Extinction

Silverback gorillas (mountain gorillas) are strong yet beautiful, shy, and peaceful creatures. They are herbivores and also the largest primates.

These gorillas are known as "silverback" being that the hair on the lower back of male gorillas turns a grayish color when they reach the age of 10.

Their family structure consists of one silverback, several female gorillas (his mates), and all their offspring. This group of gorillas is called a troop. The silverback is the leader of the group; he makes all the decisions and is responsible for protecting the rest.

Unfortunately, only roughly 700 are alive today. It is very upsetting to know that such few exist. What is even worst is that they continue to get killed by poachers and rebels for food. A large scale gorilla massacre is all it would take to speed up the process of their eradication.

Their extinction seems inevitable at this point in time. The only logical solution would be to put them on camps where they can be protected and monitored, and where they can reproduce. This would hopefully allow the current population to steadily increase. An action like this should be taken and as soon as possible.

To lose these creatures would be saddening; we would have no choice but to say good-bye to humans' closest relatives.

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* Congo rangers are responsible for patrolling the silverback habitats. They work hard to protect the gorillas from poachers and rebels. Sadly 97 rangers have died, on the call of duty, since 1996.

If you are interested in helping Congo rangers, you can make a donation through wildlife direct.