Gorilla (Western Lowland)

Hello, I am a Western Lowland Gorilla, and my story begins deep in the warm, humid rainforests of Central Africa. I was born into a large, bustling family that we call a troop. From my first moments, I felt safe and loved. My father was the leader of our troop, a strong and gentle silverback. The patch of silver hair on his back showed everyone he was the one to protect us. I spent my earliest days clinging tightly to my mother’s furry back as she moved through the thick green jungle. From this safe spot, I learned the sounds of our world—the chatter of monkeys, the buzz of insects, and the rustle of leaves that meant a family member was near. My mother taught me which plants were good to eat and which to avoid. When I was big enough, I would tumble and play with my siblings and cousins. We would chase each other around the giant tree trunks and swing on low-hanging vines, our joyful calls echoing through the trees. My childhood was filled with discovery, learning how to be a gorilla under the watchful eye of my father and the gentle care of my mother.

As I grew from a baby into a young gorilla, my days became focused on two very important things: eating and sleeping. My diet was a wonderful mix of the forest’s best treats. I spent hours searching for juicy fruits, tender stems, and tasty leaves. I learned to peel back tough bark to get to the soft pith inside. Eating was not just for filling my belly; it was my job. When I ate fruits, their seeds would pass through my body and be left on the forest floor in a new place far from the parent tree. This is why some people call us the 'gardeners of the forest.' By spreading seeds as we travel, we help new trees and plants grow, keeping our rainforest home healthy and green for everyone. After a long day of foraging and playing, it was time to build my bed. Every single night, each of us would build a fresh, clean nest on the ground. I would carefully bend and weave together leaves and branches to create a soft, comfortable mattress. It was a skill I learned by watching my mother, and it was the perfect way to end the day before drifting off to sleep under the stars.

Our life in the forest was peaceful, but one day, strange new sounds started to disturb the quiet. There was a loud, angry buzzing of machines that I had never heard before. These sounds meant that humans were cutting down the trees, and with every tree that fell, our home grew a little bit smaller. It was a confusing and scary time for my troop. Long before I was born, in 1847, scientists from far away first described my species to the rest of the world. For many years after that, not much changed for us. But as the forests began to shrink, people started to realize we needed help. Around the 1990s, some kind humans worked to create huge national parks, which were safe places where the trees couldn't be cut down and our families could live without fear. Even with these parks, the danger wasn't over. In 2007, conservation groups announced that Western Lowland Gorillas were 'critically endangered.' This was a very serious message, telling the world that there were not many of us left and that we needed protection more than ever before.

Now, I am a grown gorilla, and the hair on my own back is beginning to turn silver. It is my turn to help protect and lead my troop, just as my father did for me. Our world still has its challenges, and the forests are not as big as they once were, but there is reason for hope. Many kind humans are working hard to protect our rainforest homes. They study us to understand what we need, and they work with local communities to make sure both people and gorillas can live together safely. I continue my important job as a gardener of the forest every day. With every fruit I eat and every seed I spread, I am helping to rebuild our home and make it strong. I am hopeful that because of this teamwork, future generations of gorillas will get to grow up in a safe, green forest, just like I did.