Gorilla (Eastern and Western) Status: Endangered
Gorillas are endangered and experiencing decline due to hunting and poaching, habitat loss, and diseases. Gorillas are gentle giants and display many human-like behaviors and emotions, such as laughter and sadness. In fact, gorillas share 98.3% of their genetic code with humans, making them our closest cousins after chimpanzees and bonobos. The largest of the great apes, gorillas are stocky animals with broad chests and shoulders, large, human-like hands, and small eyes set into hairless faces. The two gorilla species live in equatorial Africa, separated by about 560 miles of Congo Basin forest. Each has a lowland and upland subspecies. Gorillas live in family groups of usually five to 10, but sometimes two to more than 50, led by a dominant adult male—or silverback—who holds his position for years. The bond between the silverback and his females forms the basis of gorilla social life.
Placement of this geocache has been approved by Rob Rossmanith, Park Biologist. Please remember, all wheels off the paved road when parking. Do not block any gates or trailheads and follow the posted speed limits.