Likouala à Epena, Republic of the Congo Photograph by Elie Hakizumwami   Central Africa: Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   49,700 square miles (128,600 square kilometers) -- about the size of Ohio and New Hampshire combined Relatively Stable/Intact

· Gorillas in the Swamp
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Gorillas in the Swamp

The Western Congolian Swamp Forest ecoregion, known for its large numbers of lowland gorillas, is a seasonally flooded forest with a high canopy, dense undergrowth, and a particularly muddy forest floor. The exceptional habitats found here remain largely intact. Lush palms and low vegetation combine with swamp and abundant waterholes to make passage through this forest almost impossible. For this reason, forest elephants and bonobos, or pygmy chimpanzees, remain relatively safe from the hunting and tree-cutting pressures of nearby logging camps.

Special Features

This ecoregion forms part of the only flooded forest ecosystem in Africa. Separated by the Congo River, this ecoregion and the neighboring Eastern Congolian Swamp Forest ecoregion are globally outstanding because they contain some of the largest areas of true swamp forest on the planet. Although these forests are not exceptionally rich in species numbers, they support intact populations of several large mammals. Here lowland gorillas feed amongst chimpanzees, golden-bellied mangabeys, and Allen’s swamp monkeys.

Gorillas are the largest of all primates, with males weighing up to 460 pounds (210 kg) and females up to 250 pounds (113 kg). A single silverback male and a varying number of females and children make up a group of gorillas. Unlike some other primates, the bond between each female and the silverback is stronger than the bond between the different females within the group. This is mostly because the females regularly leave the group to join up with other males.

Wild Side

Moving from one lush feeding spot to another, gorillas roam the moist forests of the Western Congolian Swamp Forest ecoregion. They stop to feed peacefully on roots, fruits, and leaves. Occasionally, the loud sound of a male gorilla thumping his chest rumbles through the forest. Chimpanzees groom each other lazily while their young climb trees, wrestle with each other, and play with sticks. Golden-bellied mangabeys search for sugar plums and figs in the treetops, while on the ground a troop of Allen’s swamp monkeys forage for crabs. In this ecoregion, the great Congo River forms a natural boundary, not only separating this ecoregion from the neighboring Eastern Congolian Swamp Forest, but also acting as a barrier to species distribution, resulting in different subspecies evolving on either side of the river.

Cause for Concern

While there are no major threats to the habitats of this ecoregion, the animals that live here are targeted by hunters for a variety of reasons. Organized hunting of larger herbivores for their meat is a major threat to some populations. In addition, elephants are hunted for their ivory and meat, which may have already decimated their populations. Gorillas are hunted for meat and for fetishes that are thought to have spiritual or medicinal value.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.