The Most Gargantuan Gorillas Originated from This Notable Subspecies
Untamed Titans: Let's dive into the world of the biggest gorillas ever discovered, although they might not have reached the colossal proportions of King Kong. The tallest known wild gorilla, a six-foot, four-and-a-half-inch behemoth, met his fate at the hands of hunters near Alimbongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1938. He may not have been the heaviest, as that honor goes to a 482-pound male killed around Lake Kivu in 1929.
Regardless, both these colossal gorillas were eastern gorillas, a species that holds a special distinction, as we'll soon see. Rumors and tales surround even larger gorillas, sometimes tipping the scales at 588 pounds, but these claims are largely based on estimates. In captivity, gorillas can grow even larger, but the records are unparalleled by any wild specimen.
The world of gorillas is divided into two species: the western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) and the eastern gorillas (G. beringei). Each species has two subspecies, and it's the eastern gorillas that give the largest individuals. They're separated into Grauer's gorillas (G. b. grauri) and mountain gorillas (G. b. beringei). However, this classification was not established until 2001, which makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact species of our record-holders.
For the record, Grauer's gorillas, also known as eastern lowland gorillas, boast the largest size, making them the biggest living primate species. This puts them in a league of their own. Still, it's essential to sift through the details of historical records, as numerous reports are scattered with tall tales of gigantic gorillas.
Among the claims, several stand out. The heaviest wild gorilla ever recorded was reportedly shot in Ambam, Cameroon, and weighed approximately 589 pounds, a common sight in popular media sources. However, this record is associated with the Western lowland gorilla, which some debate as the gorilla's largest subspecies. More research is needed to corroborate this record.
Moving on, there's another reference of a gorilla weighing 483 pounds and standing at 6'3". This may have been a mountain gorilla, given the association with its subspecies in the context of the record. Another anecdotal account involves a gorilla named Gust, rumored to stand at 7'3" and weigh around 485 pounds, but it's essential to approach this information with caution, given its lack of verification.
In conclusion, the eastern lowland gorillas are generally considered the largest gorilla subspecies. The heaviest reliably recorded wild gorilla, based on the available data, was likely a Western lowland gorilla from Cameroon, while the eastern lowland gorillas consistently produce larger individuals in the wild. Although captivity records involve larger gorillas, they are less relevant for natural size comparisons.
Science suggests that eastern lowland gorillas, or Grauer's gorillas, are the largest living primate species, setting them apart in the world of health-and-wellness for their incredible size. Despite claims of even larger gorillas, the heaviest reliably recorded wild gorilla was likely a Western lowland gorilla, highlighting the importance of accurate data collection in health studies.
