Eastern gorilla
The eastern gorilla ("Gorilla beringei") is a critically endangered species of the genus "Gorilla" and the largest living primate. At present, the species is subdivided into two subspecies. Grauer's gorilla, formerly known as the eastern lowland gorilla ("G. b. graueri") is more populous, at about 3,800 individuals. The mountain gorilla ("G. b. beringei") has only about 1000 individuals. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature mentioned illegal hunting in its assessment of threats to the species.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Opened originally as the Primate & Cat Building in 1975, the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building houses one of the largest collections of primate species in North America, including western lowland gorillas, New World monkeys, aye-ayes, and several species of lemur. However, the building does not house the Zoo's entire primate population; numerous primate species can also be found in the RainForest. In 1985, the Cleveland Aquarium permanently closed and donated its collection of exotic fishes and invertebrates to the Metroparks Zoo. A section of the Primate & Cat building was renovated to accommodate the new Aquatics section, which currently features 35 salt- and freshwater exhibits including a variety of sharks, piranhas, a giant Pacific octopus, electric eels, and hundreds of living coral.