What would the world be like without primate species like the Western Lowland Gorilla? All animals and plants help the world in some way. For example, plants give off oxygen and help us breathe. Animals help keep all animal populations under control and give us the things we need. Primates like the western lowland gorilla have as many characteristics as a human. But the world's primate population is declining. The western lowland gorilla population numbers only about 100,000. The western lowland gorilla is the most numerous and widespread of all gorilla subspecies. The exact number of western lowland gorillas is unknown because they inhabit some of Africa's densest and most remote rainforests. Significant populations still exist, including in the isolated swamps and remote swamp forest of the Republic of Congo. Western lowland gorillas are hunted very often, but it is illegal to hunt them. Hunting and killing gorillas is illegal, but animals are still killed for bushmeat or when capturing baby gorillas for pets. About 5% of western lowland gorillas are killed each year. People are trying to set aside areas for gorillas so that they are not hunted or killed. The protected areas are the Congo Basin and are promoting the development of logging and mining industries that are well managed both ecologically and socially. Unlike other primates, western lowland gorillas are terrestrial, meaning they do not climb trees and live on land, inhabiting the tropical rainforests of Central Africa. Historically the page 2 gorilla has been described as a ferocious killer. However, they are shy and gentle creatures that would not attack humans unless provoked. In the wild their only predators are lions... middle of paper... if they find out that someone came and took one of the children, they can send the person to prison for 3 years. the western gorilla has many important roles in this world. they help us just like we help them. they have a hard and complicated life and have to fight for survival unlike us. what some poachers need to understand is that they are killing animals that may one day no longer be here. we see them all the time in zoos and other protected areas, but if the world continues to go the way it is now, we won't. page 4Now that gorillas are very close to extinction, our job is to help them and stop poaching and hunting. only about 45% of the gorilla population remains. They will always have to fight for their survival and to protect their young from poachers. Plus they will all eventually be moved to protected areas where people like us won't be able to see them.