This is Sam, a Western lowland gorilla. Lowland gorillas live along the Congo River Basin of West Africa. Male gorillas, like Sam, average 300-500 pounds, and are generally between five feet, five inches and six feet tall.
Diet
For breakfast Sam has plain yogurt and an apple or cranberry juice drink with bran. Throughout the rest of the day he eats: 3 heads of lettuce, 3 bunches of celery, 6 apples, 6 oranges, 3 bananas, 3 carrots, 3 bunches of kale, 1 cantaloupe, dry monkey chow, sunflower seeds, peanuts, raisins, corn, pecans, and 3 sweet potatoes. As a special treat, Sam gets a tomato, his favorite food.
Life Span
In the wild, a gorilla's average life span is 30-40 years. In captivity, gorillas generally live 50 years or more.
Conservation
Gorillas are endangered for many reasons, including loss of habitat and poaching. However, many organizations, including the Knoxville Zoo, are working to save endangered animals such as the gorilla. The gorillas at the Knoxville Zoo are part of the Species Survival Plan, a nationwide breeding program. There are two males in the Knoxville Zoo's new Gorilla Valley exhibit, with room for more.
Information and photos provided by the Knoxville Zoo.