Gorillas and chimpanzees are found at higher densities where forest is intact, wildlife laws are enforced, human influence is low, and disease impacts have been low. We quantified the threats to each taxon, of which the three greatest were poaching, disease, and habitat degradation. Annual population decline of gorillas was estimated at 2.7%, maintaining them as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List. These two subspecies represent close to 99% of all gorillas and one-third of all chimpanzees. We predicted density across each taxon’s geographic range, allowing us to estimate overall abundance: 361,900 gorillas and 128,700 chimpanzees in Western Equatorial Africa-substantially higher than previous estimates.
#CHIMPANZEE HEIGHT DRIVERS#
We used spatial modeling to investigate major drivers of great ape distribution and population trends. We present a range-wide assessment of sympatric western lowland gorillas Gorilla gorilla gorilla and central chimpanzees Pan troglodytes troglodytes using the largest survey data set ever assembled for these taxa: 59 sites in five countries surveyed between 20, totaling 61,000 person-days of fieldwork. Sanz, Angelique Todd, Hilde Vanleeuwe, Ashley Vosper, Ymke Warren, and David S. Rainey, Tim Rayden, Heidi Ruffler, Crickette M. Mowawa, Mizuki Murai, Christian Ndzai, Tomoaki Nishihara, Zacharie Nzooh, Lilian Pintea, Amy Pokempner, Hugo J. Morgan, Prosper Motsaba, Gabin Moukala, Brice S. Malanda, Richard Malonga, Victor Mbolo, David B. Kühl, Stephanie Latour, Bola Madzoke, Calixte Makoumbou, Guy-Aimé F. Feistner, Bernard Fosso, Roger Fotso, David Greer, Clement Inkamba-Nkulu, Calixte F. Boundja, Nicolas Bout, Thomas Breuer, Genevieve Campbell, Pauwel De Wachter, Marc Ella Akou, Fidel Esono Mba, Anna T. Bakabana, Martha Bechem, Antoine Berlemont, Bruno Bokoto de Semboli, Patrick R. Stokes, Rostand Aba’a, Gaspard Abitsi, … Show All …, Anthony Agbor, Ruffin D.
The IUCN status of the chimpanzee is endangered.Samantha Strindberg, Fiona Maisels, Elizabeth A. In fact, it is estimated that within 30 years all species of ape could be extinct.Ĭhimpanzees measure up to 1.6 metres in height and weigh up to 70 kilograms.īelfast Zoo is home to seven chimpanzees and our dominant male is named Andy. Once found in forests all over Africa, these endangered animals are facing increasing threats to their habitat and survival.
They live in complex societies with strict hierarchies, controlled by one dominant male. Our chimps regularly use branches to access the treats hidden in their false termite mound.Ĭhimps are very intelligent animals and communicate through a complicated range of hand and facial gestures. In fact in the wild they are often seen using tools and we replicate this at Belfast Zoo. Like humans, chimpanzees have opposable thumbs to help them grasp branches and tools. Chimpanzees are part of the great ape family and are one of our closest living relatives, sharing nearly 99% of our DNA.Ĭhimpanzees have long brown/black hair and, unlike most other primates, chimpanzees are apes and therefore do not have a tail.