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There are two species of gorilla, the western gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla'') and the eastern gorilla (''Gorilla beringei''). The western gorilla consists of two recognized subspecies: the western lowland gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') and the Cross River gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla diehli''). The western lowland gorilla, which comprises about 99% of all gorillas, is classified as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Maisels et al. 2018), meaning that it is considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

There are two species of gorilla, the western gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla'') and the eastern gorilla (''Gorilla beringei''). The western gorilla consists of two recognized subspecies: the western lowland gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') and the Cross River gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla diehli''). The western lowland gorilla, which comprises about 99% of all gorillas, is classified as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Maisels et al. 2018), meaning that it is considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Western lowland gorillas are found throughout the forests of Western Equatorial Africa in [[Gabon]] and [[Republic of the Congo]], southwestern [Central African Republic]] (CAR), [[Cameroon]] south of the Sanaga River, mainland [[Equatorial Guinea]] and the Cabinda province of [[Angola]] (Maisels et al. 2018). They appear to be most numerous in Marantaceae and swamp forests.  

Western lowland gorillas are found throughout the forests of Western Equatorial Africa in [[Gabon]] and [[Republic of the Congo]], southwestern [[Central African Republic]] (CAR), [[Cameroon]] south of the Sanaga River, mainland [[Equatorial Guinea]] and the Cabinda province of [[Angola]] (Maisels et al. 2018). They appear to be most numerous in Marantaceae and swamp forests.  

The most recent estimate of western lowland gorillas was about 361,900 in 2013, with approximately 60% living in the Republic of the Congo, 27% in Gabon, 10% in Cameroon and the rest in CAR, Cabinda, and Equatorial Guinea (Strindberg et al. 2018). Their population is declining at about 2.7% annually, due to the threats outlined below (Strindberg et al. 2018).

The most recent estimate of western lowland gorillas was about 361,900 in 2013, with approximately 60% living in the Republic of the Congo, 27% in Gabon, 10% in Cameroon and the rest in CAR, Cabinda, and Equatorial Guinea (Strindberg et al. 2018). Their population is declining at about 2.7% annually, due to the threats outlined below (Strindberg et al. 2018).

Several western gorilla sites straddle international borders which require cooperation between two or more countries for effective conservation. One such cross border initiative is the Sangha Tri-National Landscape that includes southern CAR, northern Congo, and southeast Cameroon. This conservation initiative covers the contiguous [[ Dzanga-Ndoki National Park|Dzanga-Ndoki]], [[Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park|Nouabalé-Ndoki]] and [[Lobéké National Park|Lobéké]] national parks, and divides the area into regions in which human activity is managed or restricted, and allows for joint patrols by armed rangers from the three countries. It was listed as a World heritage Site in 2012 (UNESCO 2012).

Several western gorilla sites straddle international borders which require cooperation between two or more countries for effective conservation. One such cross border initiative is the Sangha Tri-National Landscape that includes southern CAR, northern Congo, and southeast Cameroon. This conservation initiative covers the contiguous [[ Dzanga-Ndoki National Park|Dzanga-Ndoki]], [[Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park|Nouabalé-Ndoki]] and [[Lobéké National Park|Lobéké]] national parks, and divides the area into regions in which human activity is managed or restricted, and allows for joint patrols by armed rangers from the three countries. It was listed as a World heritage Site in 2012 (UNESCO 2012).

In general, research is usually correlated with better protected sites (Laurance 2013). Research programmes are natural partners to local conservation initiatives. Long-term studies of western lowland gorillas began at Lopé in Gabon in 1983, and expanded to Mbeli in Republic of Congo, Bai Hokou in CAR and Loango in Gabon. All have proved helpful in discouraging poaching. There are a few established tourism operations based around sightings of western gorillas in CAR, Congo and Gabon, including low impact observations from platforms at the edges of the swampy clearings (bais) favoured by the great apes and other animals.

In general, research is usually correlated with better protected sites (Laurance 2013). Research programmes are natural partners to local conservation initiatives. Long-term studies of western lowland gorillas began at [[Lopé National Park|Lopé]] in Gabon in 1983, and expanded to Mbeli in Republic of Congo, Bai Hokou in CAR and Loango in Gabon. All have proved helpful in discouraging poaching. There are a few established tourism operations based around sightings of western gorillas in CAR, Congo and Gabon, including low impact observations from platforms at the edges of the swampy clearings (bais) favoured by the great apes and other animals.

In addition to these field efforts, sanctuaries housing orphaned gorillas have been established in Cameroon, Gabon and Congo. These confiscated great apes are cared for and used to deliver conservation messages to local populations about the plight of this endangered species and their forest homes. Some success re-introducing a small number of rehabilitated gorillas in Gabon and Republic of Congo has also been achieved.

In addition to these field efforts, sanctuaries housing orphaned gorillas have been established in Cameroon, Gabon and Congo. These confiscated great apes are cared for and used to deliver conservation messages to local populations about the plight of this endangered species and their forest homes. Some success re-introducing a small number of rehabilitated gorillas in Gabon and Republic of Congo has also been achieved.