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A silverback - adult male gorilla
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What you can do
WWF depends on public support morally and financially to carry out urgent conservation projects to save the gorilla and other species and habitats facing extinction. Please help them to continue their vital work. Please visit: www.wwf.org to see what you can do.
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Gorillas, the largest of the living primates, are ground-dwelling omnivores that inhabit the forests of Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and (still under debate as of 2008) either four or five subspecies. The DNA of gorillas is 97%98% identical to that of a human, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after the two chimpanzee species.
A silverback is an adult male gorilla, typically more than 12 years of age and named for the distinctive patch of silver hair on his back. A silverback gorilla has large canine teeth that come with maturity.
Silverbacks are the strong, dominant troop leaders. Each typically leads a troop of 5 to 30 gorillas and is the center of the troop's attention, making all the decisions, mediating conflicts, determining the movements of the group, leading the others to feeding sites and taking responsibility for the safety and well-being of the troop.
Please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorilla for further information.
Gorilla Games - Test your skill click here
Endangerment
Both species of gorilla are endangered, and have been subject to intense poaching for a long time. Threats to gorilla survival include habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade.
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