Two Species - One Fate

Two Species - One Fate. . , Great apes are our closest kin. We share 98.4 percent of our genes with gorillas. Like us, gorillas show self-awareness, emotions such as joy and distress, and the ability to communicate with signs and symbols. Despite our fascination with these intelligent apes, all gorillas are in trouble., Western Gorilla, Gorilla, gorilla, Endangered: , The western lowland gorilla (G.g gorilla) is the species seen in most U.S. zoos. Until recently, conservationists were less concerned about this species. Now, intense logging is greatly fragmenting their habitat and logging roads are bringing the gorillas in contact with hunters and disease., Critically Endangered: , The Cross River gorilla (G.g. diehli) was thought to be extinct. However, in the 1980s, 250 of them were found in a small, unprotected area on the banks of the Cross River., Eastern Gorilla, Gorilla beringei, Endangered: , The mountain gorilla (G.b.beringei), made famous by Dian Fossey, is only found in two mountain ranges. The Virunga population of 380 and the Bwindi population of 320 are threatened by neighboring people's need for additional farmland and firewood., Endangered: , Like mountain gorillas, the eastern lowland gorilla (G.b. graueri) suffers terribly from habitat loss. Illegal mining and logging, war, and the lack of legal protection for the gorillas' habitat are significant threats to their survival.